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HOME SQUADRON 



UNDER 



MODORE CONNER 



IN THE 



EXICAN WAR 



1 




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CIassJH"_4 16_ 



BookX^/S" 



THE HOME SQUADEO:Nr 

UNDER 

COMMODOKE CONNER 

IN THE 

WAR WITH MEXICO, 

BEING A SYNOPSIS OF ITS SERVICES. 
(with an addendum containing admiral temple's memoir 

OP THE LANDING OF OUR ARMY AT VERA CRUZ IN 1847.) 

1846—1847. 
BY 

PHILIP SYNG PHYSICK CONNER 







FIRST COPY, 



IN-QTICE. 

Tlie followiQg memoirs liave been carefuQly 
prepared from autlientic sources, — namely, 
tlie correspondence of my fattier, Commo- 
dore Conner, both, official and private, 
together ^^itli governmental and executive 

documents. 

P. S. P. COyXER 

Philadelphia. 1896. 



Copj-right, bv Phtt.t? 5t>"g Phtsick; Cosxke, 1896. 



........ .•:»*lr'01 



PREFACE. 



At the time when hostilities commenced between Mexico and the 
United States, the former had no navy on the high seas, and the latter 
none fitted to prosecute warfare in the enemy's waters.^ In conse- 
quence of this the war was without any strictly naval conflicts. But 
the want of proper vessels in the American navy was not generally 
known, and consequently dissatisfaction was felt at the presumed lack 
of enterprise of the squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, and a portion of 
the press did not hesitate to censure the same, together with the com- 
mander of that force. Subsequently, however, the government — 
through the medium of the report of the Secretary of the Navy — an- 
nounced its total want of proper vessels, and appropriate means in 
general, for active operations in the Gulf. This placed the case in its 
true light, and the injustice of the criticism was made evident. 

AVhile the truth was thus slowly unraveling itself at home. Com- 
modore Conner, in the Gulf, was manfully bearing up against the many 
combined difficulties there present, and steadily performing the arduous 
and harassing duties assigned to him. The department, having openly 
acknowledged the inappropriateness of the means at his command, 
promised to purchase and dispatch vessels and forces fitted for the 
special service required, and consequently the commodore laid his plans 
in expectation of their arrival. 

Commodore Conner, as before stated, having borne the brunt of 
difficulties and misfortune, and yet having passed with safety through 
the most critical period of the war, — in regard to both military and 
diplomatic action, — it was to be expected that the government which 
had not only put this officer in such an embarrassed position, but had, 
moreover, requested him to remain there, when he could have retired 
with credit, would afford him every facility in its power to achieve the 
end desired by placing in his hands those proper means which he had 
designated and which the Navy Department was preparing. Such, I 
presume, was the intention of the government ; but the lapse of time 
and subsequent circumstances caused a different result. 

Ample reinforcements of vessels, men, and arms were dispatched 
to the seat of war ; but they did not reach the man who had labored 
so long in that field, and who, in spite of all drawbacks, had gained 
success, and had initiated that movement which resulted in the seizure 

^ See report of the Secretary of the Navy for the year 1846, in the Addendum 
to this essay; also Commodore Perry's letter, etc. 

3 



4 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

of the capital and the complete conquest of the enemy. A much 
longer time had been consumed in preparing the additional means than 
was anticipated, and when they did at last reach the field of war Com- 
modore Conner's term of service had expired by some months, and his 
successor was appointed. Regularity and precision of succession in 
command are certainly to be approved of, — under ordinary circum- 
stances ; but when their immediate enforcement interrupts an officer in 
the midst of important movements, and deprives him of that favor- 
able result which is just arising as the consequence of years of watching 
and months of actual toil, — the act cannot be commended. With the 
new forces came a new commander, bearing orders to report as Com- 
modore Conner's relief, and the last-named officer — in the middle of a 
siege — transferred the command to Commodore Perry. 

And here I think it necessary, for the proper understanding of the 
subject, that I should go into detail regarding it, for the reason that 
because Commodore Conner resigned supreme command at almost the 
very hour of victory, it has been supposed by some that he was super- 
seded, — that is, peremptorily displaced for having in some way displeased 
the Navy Department, a mistaken idea ; but, under the circumstances, 
not an unnatural one to those who merely saw the act without knowing 
its cause. But let me relate that act, give its circumstances, and then 
explain its true cause, which, although unfortunate for Commodore 
Conner, arose from no fault of his and cast no deserved cloud upon 
his reputation ; but, on the contrary, added to it proof of fidelity to 
promise, and of immediate obedience to command, — that very essence 
of discipline and loyalty. In the beginning I must say that the term 
of command in the navy was limited to three years, — that is, a com- 
modore was given command of a fleet for three years, and there he 
remained for that period, unless illness, death, or misconduct cut it 
short ; if the latter, he was at once " superseded ;" but if the whole 
term was served out satisfactorily he was " relieved" of his charge by 
a successor or "relief," as called, generally a junior officer, for thus a 
regular and just sequence of the honor of chief command came to 
all in proper time. Such was the rule ; but, like others, it had its 
exceptions, one of which was that when the department found that an 
officer was particularly well fitted for the place he was in, or thought 
that by displacing him he would lose the reward of his labors, it sus- 
pended the rule and kept him at the post as long as possible. Now 
this was Commodore Conner's position ; he had so well filled the place 
that, when he might have retired with credit, the secretary (Mr. 
Mason) requested him not to depart. Acquiescing, he remained in the 
Gulf, did all that could be done in the first year of the war with the 
inadequate means afforded, underwent popular abuse for not doing 
more than could be done, and then laid the foundation of our com- 
plete victory by effiicting the descent on Vera Cruz. Under these 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 5 

circumstances it is not surprising that, although by the spring of 1847 
his terra of command had more than expired, and his appointed suc- 
cessor (Commodore M. C. Perry) had been waiting for some time to 
relieve him, the government hesitated to issue the order of relief, — hesi- 
tated because it wished him to receive the just reward of his long, un- 
flagging, and faithful services, — to wit, the surrender of Vera Cruz. Of 
course, I mean so far as the navy was concerned in that victory ; how 
far that was, may be judged when we remember that, but for the heavy 
guns of the naval battery, the walls of Vera Cruz might never have 
been breached, for the army's siege-train failed to come, and unless the 
navy had landed the army it never would have got ashore on that coast. 
" Without its [the navy's] aid our army could not have landed and 
would have had to retire ignominiously" (Admiral Porter, in " Our 
Navy," p. 3, vol. i.. The United Service Review, January, 1879). The 
landing was done solely under the command of Commodore Conner; 
the battery, put into action by Commodore Perry, was planned in 
advance by the former. But to return to the subject of the surrender. 
It was thought that this would occur in February, and, indeed, it would 
then have taken place, had General Scott been on hand ; but his army 
did not join Commodore Conner's fleet until March. This delay 
proved too much, for the President, seeing no end to the war, in- 
formed of the promise to Perry, and becoming alarmed by reports of 
Conner's failing health, at length ordered the secretary to suspend the 
rule no longer, but to dispatch Perry to the Gulf as Conner's relief. 
This was done. Perry reaching Vera Cruz on the 20th of March 
(1847), and, as it happened, right in the middle of its siege he at once 
presented his orders and, on the next morning (21st) at 8 o'clock, 
received from Conner the commaod of the squadron. 

Thus it is seen that the relief of Commodore Conner, in the middle 
of a siege, was not an intentional rebuke on the part of the govern- 
ment, but arose from chance, the accidental arrival of Commodore 
Perry at that particular time. Many wondered at this sudden 
surrender of command, and expressed surprise that Conner, as the 
senior officer, had not deferred the act until after the fall of Vera 
Cruz; indeed, I have been told that some of his officers, indignant 
that one so deserving of the prize should lose it, urged him to this 
course ; but he firmly refused it, deciding to make the transfer of com- 
mand at once ; because he had told Perry that, although he could not 
voluntarily leave his post in the face of the enemy, he would at once 
resign if so ordered by his government, — fidelity to word and im- 
mediate obedience to orders forming his first duty. True, it is but a 
simple duty of daily practice; but there are occasions when the act 
rises to one of noble resignation and submission, and this is one ; for 
at the first word from his government. Commodore Conner, in the 
hour of assured victory, laid down supreme command, and silently 



6 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

resigned the promised laurels. Here is an act unparalleled in our 
history, a living proof that loyalty animates our service, — a shining 
model for future time. (See the Order of Relief, and note thereto, in 
this essay.) 

Within a few days from the transfer, the brave and able successor 
had the gratification of receiving — on the part of the navy — the sur- 
render of the city of Vera Cruz together with the castle of San Juan 
de Ulloa, and subsequently of accomplishing — with the newly arrived 
reinforcements — all that his predecessor had intended, but had been 
unable to fulfill in consequence of the want of sufficient and appro- 
priate means. 

It was in the fourth year of his command that Commodore Conner 
transferred his pennant. His had been a period of anxiety, of watch- 
ing, waiting, and harassing duties, — void of adequate reward, — of long 
separation from his family. He had left home a strong man, ruddy 
with health, his brown hair unsilvered by care : he returned gray and 
wasted almost to a shadow by mental anxiety, physical pain,^ and the 
eflfect of the climate of the Gulf. 

Upon his arrival at his house in Philadelphia, the Councils of that 
city and Washington sent him congratulations and thanks for services 
rendered. The citizens of Philadelphia, also, entertained him at a 
public dinner, while the Society of the Cincinnati elected him an 
honorary member. The government — which had approved all his 
acts, and which had already tendered him its thanks for services — 
now renewed its acknowledgments, while the President, as a special 
mark of approbation and confidence, sent him an invitation to accept 
the important office of chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equip- 
ment, and Repair. Commodore Conner, however, was forced to de- 
cline this compliment and to repair to Florida, liis long sojourn in a 
tropical climate, coupled with his harassing duties, having rendered 
him unfit to withstand the labor of office, together with the rigor of 
our winter. Although a high position, the bureau now opened but a 
comparatively limited field for action, for, owing to the executive skill 
of Commodore Morris, all of the reinforcements and means suggested 
by Commodore Conner had been dispatched to the Gulf, where Com- 
modore Perry was demonstrating their efficiency. 

1 Commodore Conner was at times subject to that agonizing disease, — Tic 
Douloureux. It probably originated in the shock given to his nervous system by 
the severe and dangerous wound he received at the capture of H. B. M. ship " Pen- 
guin," in the second war with England. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 7 

VESSELS TAKEN, PLACES ATTACKED, OCCUPIED, OR CAPTURED BY 
THE FORCES OF COMMODORE CONNER. 

List of Prize Vessels. 

" Nonata," " Coosa," " Telegraph," " Amado," " Laura Virginia," 
« Tabasco," " Tonante," " Plymouth," " Petrita," " Tabasquina," " Rent- 
ville," "Desada," "Campeche," "Union," "Isabel," " Mahouese," 
" Pueblana," " Ormingo," " Amelia," " Creole" (the last named burnt, 
by Lieutenant Parker, under the walls of San Juan de Ulloa ; a gallant 
act, but, nevertheless, a sad mistake. Like many acts so performed 
(that is, by a subaltern acting on his own responsibility and without 
reference to his commanding officer), it interfered with the latter's 
plans. Indeed, the burning of the " Creole" seems to have been most 
disastrous; the secret correspondence carried on by means of her, 
through which Commodore Conner was kept informed of the state 
of the enemy, and also the chance of carrying San Juan by escalade 
under cover of the coming and going of this vessel between the castle 
and the fleet, very suddenly ended. Nothing but the gallantry of the 
act could be openly spoken of, for other comment would have exposed 
my father's secret agent in Vera Cruz to the danger of immediate 
execution ; but the private letter of an officer in my father's secret 
reveals the disappointment and chagrin caused by this sudden ending 
put to benefit and " great expectations"). 

Places attacked. 

June 8, 14, and 15, 1846.— The fort at the bar of Tampico. The 
works shelled and the forces employed in their construction driven off 
by Commander Saunders of the " St. Mary's." He also sends his boats 
into the river to cut out some vessels ; but finds the current too strong 
to row against. 

August 7 and October 15, 1846. — Alvarado. On both occasions, 
after trial, Commodore Conner finds that the river, chiefly from natural 
causes, cannot be entered by his flotilla so as to deliver an attack in 
proper force, if, indeed, it can be entered at all. Hence, not being able 
to enter, he is forced to withdraw entirely from before the place, be- 
cause on that coast there is no safe anchorage. Thus the forces of 
nature preserved Alvarado.^ 

1 On the first occasion, there were no steamers of sufficiently light draught of 
water to cross the bar and tow in the gunboats, the strength and rapidity of the 
current, increased by recent rains, rendering the use of sails or oars impracticable, 
as the vessels would be delayed too long under the fire of the land-batteries, — if, in- 
deed, they could have made any progress at all against the current ; moreover, the 
•weather threatened to be tempestuous, rendering a delay in the bight of Alvarado 
extremely dangerous. 

At the second attempt to enter the river, though two small steamers were 
present, their power to successfully stem the current, with the gunboats in tow, 



8 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

March 9 to 29, 1847.— The city of Vera Cruz with the castle of 
San Juan de Ulloa/ — a combined military and naval attack, the army 
commanded by General Scott, the fleet by Commodores Conner and 
Perry, who were successively, during the siege, its commanders-in-chief. 

Places occupied. 

May 8 and 9, 1846. — Point Isabel : five hundred men landed 
under Captain Gregory. This reinforcement was most opportune, 
rendering that military depot secure from the ill effects of any reverse 
at Palo Alto, where the army was then fighting. 

May 18, 1846. — Barrita : combined movement of army and navy. 
A detachment from the latter proceeds up the Rio del Norte. Officer 
in command. Captain Aulick. This movement resulted also in the 
occupation of Matamoras by the army.^ 

In addition to the above-named places on the main-land, several 
islands were taken possession of, and hospitals and depots erected on 
them. 

Places captured. 

October 23, 1846. — La Frontera de Tabasco. 

October 24. — Tabasco (San Juan Bautista, or Villa Hermosa).^ 

was, upon trial, deemed insufficient by Commodore Conner. The Commodore 
leading the van, consisting of one steamer and two gunboats, mounting in all five 
guns, crosses the bar, though striking on it twice, and is engaged with two bat- 
teries mounting eight guns, when farther progress is put a stop to by the grounding 
of the second division of the flotilla. 

The whole attacking force of the flotilla, with which Commodore Conner ap- 
proached this place on the 15th of October, was as follows : Two steamers and five 
gun-schooners, mounting in all fourteen cannon, together with some of the ships' 
boats. The force in men numbered between four and five hundred. Commodore 
Perry, in the steamer " Mississippi," was directed to shell the enemy's works from 
the offing, which he did, but with little effect, as the " Mississippi's" draught, 
together with the strong currents encountered, was too great to allow of her taking 
a very advantageous position. The entrance to the town and river of Alvarado 
was defended by thirty-eight pieces of artillery, thus placed : one battery, seven 
guns ; one battery, one gun, long pivot ; one battery, three guns ; one brig, nine 
guns ; one brig, 9 guns ; one schooner, seven guns ; one gun-boat, one long 24- 
pounder ; one gunboat, one long 24-pounder. (Commodore Conner to Secretary 
of Navy, October 17, 1846. Dispatch No. 109.) The garrison of the place 
probably amounted to a thousand men, this being the third of its number as esti- 
mated by some at the time. 

^ The city and castle were occupied by the United States forces on the 29th. 
For particulars, see "The Descent on Vera Cruz," and, also, "Memoranda of 
Siege," this essay. 

2 It appears, from the memoir of Commodore Aulick, in " The American His- 
torical Eecord," vol. iii. p. 293, that in thus occupying Barrita on the morning of 
the 18th the navy was the first to invade Mexico and there unfurl our flag. Barrita 
is on the right bank of the Eio Bravo del Norte ; the army did not cross over from 
the left bank until after noon. 

^ The commandant of this town — the capital of the Province of Tabasco — re- 
fusing to capitulate, retired from it with his forces upon the landing of those of the 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 9 

December 21. — Laguna de los Terminos, Commander J. R. Sands 
installed military governor. 

Yucatan sends a commissioner to treat with Commodore Conner, 
and becomes tributary to the United States. 

The expeditions to the above-named places were under the imme- 
diate command of Commodore Perry, by order of the commander-in- 
chief. 

November 14, 1846. — Tampico, — or Santa Ana de Tamaulipas. — 
Expedition led in person by Commodore Conner. 

November 19, 1846. — Panuco: detachment, from Tampico expedi- 
tion, under Commander Tattnall. 

EXPEDITIONS ORGANIZED BY COMMODORE CONNER, AND 
LED OR DISPATCHED BY HIM. 

Chronological Order, Dating from Time Expedition left Head- Quarters 

until its Return. 

May 4 to 20, 1846.— To Point Isabel and Barrita. 

August 7. — To the river Alvarado. 

October 15. — To the river Alvarado, second expedition. 

October 16 to November 1. — To Frontera and Tabasco. 

November 10 to December 13. — To Tampico and Panuco. 

December 17 to 27. — To Laguna. 

March 9, 1847. — Descent on Vera Cruz. 

Note. — The first battle of the Mexican War was fought at Palo 
Alto, on May 8, 1846. Commodore Conner was at hand, and rein- 
forced the garrison at Point Isabel from his squadron. Before the 
20th of the month, he distributed the vessels of his force in blockade 
along the coast, his own ship, however, having to repair to Pensacola 
for water and other refreshments. Though nine hundred miles dis- 
tant from Vera Cruz, this port was the nearest naval station at which 
provisions could be obtained. Though the natural advantages of its 
harbor are excellent, its navy-yard at this time was destitute of ade- 
quate supplies and facilities. Down to this time no store-ships or 
tenders had been attached to the squadron in the Gulf, and conse- 
quently each one of its ships had to repair to Pensacola, — the passage 

United States. Thus deserted, the place could have been easily destroyed. But 
Commodore Perry, from humane motives, desisted, — merely occuping it for a suffi- 
cient time to demonstrate the fact of its capture. Both the commanders-in-chief 
and the Secretary of the Navy approved the generous forbearance of the vice- 
commodore. 

On this occasion, however, the same cause which had long prevented Commo- 
dore Conner from achieving objects desired debarred Commodore Perry from taking 
permanent possession of Tabasco, — namely, inadequate means. But some months 
after this, on the receipt of ample reinforcements from his government. Commo- 
dore Perry was enabled to make a complete conquest of the place. 



10 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

there and back to the Mexican coast, together with the time occupied 
in filling up supplies, consuming about a month for each vessel. It 
required about thirty days for the Pensacola yard to bake and supply 
the frigate " Potomac" (complement about four hundred and eighty 
men) with bread for a three-months' cruise. 

At one time the cistern of the yard gave out ; the consequence was 
that ships arriving, after having made the voyage of a thousand miles 
for water, could obtain none without the addition of a journey, for 
their crews, of some forty miles. On another occasion Commodore 
Conner informs the secretary that, but for the casual presence of a 
steamer at Pensacola, it would have been impossible to tell when he 
could have completed supplying his ship with water. 

June and July, 1846. — Incursions were prevented by the non- 
arrival of a proper flotilla, thus the most favorable season was lost. 
It was not until the 28th of July that the squadron possessed three 
gun-boats ; the small steamers did not arrive until the autumn, when, 
for want of fuel, their usefulness was for a time annulled. 

August 16, 1846. — First store-ship arrives in the squadron during 
this year. She is freighted with water, but deficient in almost every- 
thing else. 

September, 1846. — Part of this month no small steamer with 
squadron ; when one does arrive, her coal is exhausted, and, none 
being on the station, active operations are further delayed. 

October 6, 1846. — First shipment of coal, for the squadron, reaches 
it. 

October 8, 1846. — Commodore Conner writes thus to the Secretary 
of the Navy : " Besides the circumscribed field for naval operations 
presented on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, of which the department 
is aware, other causes than fear of the yellow fever on shore have 
occurred to prevent expeditions being undertaken to attack the ports 
that were assailable on the coast — the principal of these having been 
the want of a proper description of force to cross the bars, and tow 
the boats of the squadron over them into the rivers — with guns of 
sufficient calibre to demolish the batteries, and clear the banks of such 
troops as might show themselves. For this purpose the gunboats and 
steamers, when all shall have arrived, will be sufficient. The depart- 
ment has been already informed that all the gunboats [three ]^ did not 
reach here [off Vera Cruz] until the close of July, — one of the steamers 
only a few days since [the ' Vixen,' arrived on the 23d of September, is 
the steamer referred to; the 'Spitfire' joined the squadron on the 10th 
of the following November], and the first cargo of coal for their sup- 
ply only the night before last [October 6]. 

" The department may rely that every exertion will be made on my 
part to carry out its views in relation to Tampico, yet I deem it proper 
1 "Eeefer," July 10, " Petrel," July 21, " Bonita," July 28. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 11 

on this occasion to state that neither the steamers nor gunboats are 
vessels adapted for the navigation of the Gulf at this season of the year, 
and that there will be considerable risk of their being lost should a 
norther overtake them before they can enter the river of Tarapico. . . . 
There is a want of the proper class of vessels for maintaining a strict 
blockade, . . . the force has been barely sufficient for the blockade of 
Vera Cruz and Tampico. . . . Another store-vessel is required fitted 
like the 'Relief.' . . . Owing to great floods, Tampico bar has altered, 
and in August last there were but six feet of water on it." (Dispatch 
No. 107, October 8, 1846— to Hon. J. Y. Mason, Secretary of Navy.) 
During the early part of November (1846) the depth did not increase, 
but on the 14th sufficient water was found, and it was crossed by the 
expedition as stated. (See Commodore Perry's letter, in this essay.) 

In December was dispatched the expedition to Yucatan. In Jan- 
uary and February (1847) the flotilla was occupied in holding what it 
had previously gained, and in refitting for spring operations ; the en- 
gineers of the squadron having full employment on the small steamers 
to keep them afloat, and their boilers and machinery in order. The 
large steamers ''Princeton" and "Mississippi" were in a condition 
scarcely fit to keep the sea. The latter was sent North for repairs. 
Preparations were made for receiving and forwarding the army of 
General Scott to Vera Cruz, which was done, — the descent being made 
on the 9th of March. 

From the above statement, which is founded on Commodore Con- 
ner's dispatches and other official documents of the Navy Department, 
it will be seen that active operations were commenced so soon as the 
necessary force and supplies reached the Gulf. Also, that they were 
continued so long as the season and condition of the force would per- 
mit. Moreover, it must be remembered that Commodore Conner served 
in the beginning of the war, at a time when nothing was prepared, — 
substitutes and make-shifts being his instruments ; such, for instance, 
as the wretched revenue vessels, and the craft captured on the 
Mexican coast ; that with this material, and that part of the flotilla 
prepared by the government which reached him, he commenced the 
work, and laid the foundation of the subsequent complete subjugation 
of the Gulf coast; that in the middle of this work, and just as ample 
reinforcements in vessels, men, and supplies arrived, he was suddenly 
interrupted by the appointment of a successor in the command. 

This officer. Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, had already 
served with distinction as second in command under Commodore 
Conner; as commander-in-chief he continued to evince his wonted 
energy and ability. 

Note. — Commodore Conner's term of service as commander-in- 
chief commenced in the winter of 1843, and ended in the spring of 



12 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

1847 ; thus embracing a period of over three years. The first two 
years of this time were passed in the West Indies, and before Vera 
Cruz in the endeavor to accomplish the peaceful settlement of our affairs 
with Mexico, while its last ten months were fully occupied by the 
duties of the blockade and aggressive war. 

It has been truly said that the Mexican coast is guarded in winter 
by storms and in summer by pestilence, consequently the periods favor- 
able for incursions are infrequent in occurrence and of a precarious and 
limited duration. This was the case in particular during Commodore 
Conner's term of command, for, owing to the tardy arrival of the proper 
class of vessels, expeditions were rendered impracticable until the 
autumn and winter, — the seasons of tempests. On this account, 
those expeditions which were made were prosecuted at most unfavor- 
able times, and in the face of dangers from natural causes of the most 
formidable character. 

THE BLOCKADE. 

This wearisome yet most important service was incessant. By it 
the whole Gulf coast was held in repression, and kept in a state of 
siege. While a generous exemption from capture was granted to the 
poor coasters which plied their humble trade along the shore, armed 
vessels which could have preyed on our commerce were debarred 
egress from the enemy's ports, while foreign merchantmen were pre- 
vented from ingress. Thus both aggressive action and external succor 
were cut off, commerce sapped, and trade strangled in the grip of a 
naval tourniquet. 

Note. — Besides the Gulf of Mexico, the area of sea over which 
Commodore Conner was expected to keep ward embraced the Carib- 
bean, and a great part of the Atlantic, and this, too, at a time when, 
besides the Mexican difficulties, war was threatened with England on 
the Oregon question. 

To him the government looked for the repression of privateers and 
slavers, and for information regarding the condition of Mexico, and 
the best manner of attacking her from the east. The government was 
not disappointed in any of the above matters, and was, moreover, in- 
debted to him for opening a channel of communication directly through 
hostile Mexico to our squadron in the Pacific. In the fall of 1846, 
Commodore M. C. Perry, being very desirous of serving in the war, 
but there being no chief command unfilled, accepted the inferior one of 
captain of the steam man-of-war " Mississippi," in Commodore Conner's 
squadron. Since Perry had already commanded a squadron, he was 
officially styled " Commodore," and, moreover, was on this account 
authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to carry at the fore the red 
pennant of a vice-commodore, he standing in lineal rank, though not 
by any special commission, next to Commodore Conner, who wore the 
blue broad pennant at the main, being the commander-in-chief of the 



THE HOME SQUADRON, 13 

fleet in the Gulf. By reason of this relative lineal position to the latter, 
Perry was, as Captain Gregory had previously been, second in com- 
mand ; but he possessed thereby no authority over the squadron, or 
station, independent of Commodore Conner, nor shared the command 
thereof, — Conner being in sole, supreme authority. ( Vide Orders from 
Secretary of August 20 and 22, 1846, in this essay.) 

As second in command, Commodore Perry, of course, could not act 
voluntarily, or without orders from his superior officer, and consequently 
there was no field open for his independent action. But Commodore 
Conner, with ample generosity, placed one at his disposal. By refrain- 
ing from leading in person the Tabasco and Yucatan expeditions, the 
commander-in-chief afforded to his vice-commodore opportunities 
for separate action and particular distinction. 

There appears to be an impression with some that Commodore 
Perry had a command partially, if not wholly, independent of Com- 
modore Conner. This was not so, — as the government instructions 
show, — yet that part of Cooper's " Naval History" which treats of this 
period does not dispel this error (which, by the bye, is fallen into and 
positively asserted by the Eev. Dr. Griffis, in his Life of Perry), nor 
would one understand from it that the operations in the Gulf, down to 
the spring of 1847, were organized by Commodore Conner, and executed 
under his orders. 

EECAPITULATION. 

In the months of actual warfare embraced in Commodore Conner's 
term of command, whatever commerce Mexico may have possessed 
was annihilated ; complete mastery was kept over the sea, no privateer 
venturing out, though the enemy did not withhold tempting offers ; 
the coast was effectually blockaded ; those harbors whose bars could 
be crossed were entered ; all vessels found, captured or burnt, while 
detachments penetrated the country scores of leagues. Moreover, the 
principal ports of entry, with the exception of Vera Cruz, were in his 
possession, while Yucatan, cut off from the rest of Mexico by a cordon 
of armed boats extending up one of the rivers from Lake Terminos, 
became tributary. 

The first army was not only generally assisted in its invasion, but 
its base of supplies was rendered secure and, in part, held by the navy 
in the hour of actual battle. The second, consisting of over twelve 
thousand men, with horse, baggage, siege, and field artillery, was 
thrown ashore and that siege begun by the combined forces of the 
army and navy, which quickly terminated in the fall of Vera Cruz 
and the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa. 

"While all proper means were taken to subdue the enemy, wanton 
destruction of property and acts of mere rapacity were carefully 
avoided. Thus, while nothing was lost from rashness or undue vio- 
lence, in the end everything desired was gained, together with not only 



14 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

the respect, but the actual confidence and esteem of the foe. In proof 
of this is the case of Yucatan, which affords the remarkable instance 
of a conquered country requesting the continuance of its conquest. So 
just was that government established bj Commodore Conner and con- 
stituted bv Commodore Perry that the Yucatanos actually requested 
a continuance of it after the conclusion of peace, until the domestic 
troubles caused by the recent state of war were allayed. 

In regard to neutral powers, not the slightest cause for real com- 
plaint was given throughout the whole of the operations in the Gulf. 

The best narrative of these operations is given by Semmes, in his 
" Service Afloat and at Home during the Mexican War," — -first edi- 
tion ; the second omits all naval actions, being intended but for military 
men. Other writers, either from not being bred to the sea, or from 
ignorance of causes, which indeed, were hidden to them, — misunder- 
stood and consequently misrepresent. 

STATEMENT OF FORCES. 
FEOM OFFICIAL EEPORTS, COMMODORES CONXER's AND PERRY's 
DISPATCHES, EMMOXS'S STATISTICAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED 
STATES NAVY. 

Flotilla attached to the Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, ichile under the 
Command of Commodore Conner, 

STEAMERS. 

Guns. 

" Spitfire" 1 3 

"Vixen" 3 

"Petrita" 1 

GUNBOATS (sail). 

"Bonita" 1 

"Keefer" 1 

"Petrel" 1 

"Falcon" 1 

"Tampico" 1 

" Mahonese" 1 

"Nonata" . , 4 

Total guns of flotilla 17 

Vessels. 

Number of steamers 3 

Kumber of gunboats 7 

Total vessels 10 

^The steamer " McLane" and the schooner " Forward" were lent to Commodore 
Conner from the Eevenue Service previous to the arrival of the " Spitfire," when 
they appear to have been withdrawn. Although these vessels, especially the 
" McLane," were unfit for the service required in the Gulf, their officers evinced 
the proper spirit in wishing and seeking to engage the enemy in battle. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. l5 

LANDING-FORCE OF SQUADRON, AS AVAILABLE TO COMMODORE 

CONNER. 

Maximum, perhaps six hundred men ; no field artillery. The 
latter, though requested by Commodore Conner, did not come until 
the arrival of the rest of the reinforcements, that was at the time 
Commodore Conner was relieved of the command. 

It is true twelve hundred and one men received shares in the prize- 
money awarded for the capture of Tampico ; but this number included 
the landing party and also the crews of the large ships, which latter, 
though considered of the expedition, never came near the shore. 
Five hundred was probably nearer the true maximum. This may 
seem a small body of men when one considers the number of vessels — 
frigates and sloops — in the squadron. It must be remembered, how- 
ever, that the duties of the blockade kept them at separate stations, 
preventing their concentration. Besides, I find there was a want of 
muskets and military accoutrements, from which I infer it was not 
possible to properly equip the full force of the squadron.^ 

FROM COMMODORE PERRY's DISPATCHES, EMMONS's STATISTICAL 
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 

Reinforced Flotilla, as attached to the Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico 
during the Time Commodore Ferry was Commander-in- Chief. 

STEAMERS. 

Guns. 

"Spitfire" 3 

"Vixen" 3 

"Scorpion" 3 

"Scourge" 3 

"Petrita"2 1 



"Petrel" . 
" Reefer" . 
" Tampico" 
" Falcon" . 
" Bonita" . 
" Mahonese' 



GUNBOATS (sail). 



BOMB-YESSELS. 

" Stromboli" 

"Etna" 

" Vesuvius" 

"Hecla" 

" Washington" (brig) =* 10 

Total guns of flotilla 33 

^ " An additional number of muskets is much needed in the squadron. I 
therefore request that a supply — about five hundred — may be sent." — Commodore 
Conner to Mr. Secretary Mason, November 11, 1846. 

*The "Iris," although officially attached to the flotilla, was actually absent, 
at least for the most of the time, I think. 

2 In second expedition to Tabasco, see pp. 1209, 1211, Executive Documents, 
No. 1, A.D. 1848. 



16 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

Vessels. 

Number of steamers 5 

Number of gunboats 6 

Number of bomb-vessels 4 

Brig 1 

Total number of vessels ^ 16 

LANDING-FORCE OF SQUADRON DURING COMMODORE PERRY'S 

. COMMAND.^ 

Land-brigade, as reinforced by the Government 

Maximum of men 1500 

Field artillery 10 pieces 

The whole of the artillery and fourteen hundred and eighty-nine 
of the men were brought into actual field service. (See Commodore 
Perry's dispatches, some of which can be found published in Execu- 
tive Documents for the year 1848, vol. i., pp. 1193, 1195, 1203, 1209, 
1210, 1211, 1235.) 

In addition to the naval land-brigade. Commodore Perry received 
— on one occasion at least — reinforcements from the army to the ex- 
tent of an entire brigade. (See Commodore Perry's dispatch regarding 
his movement on Alvarado, April 4, 1847, Executive Documents for 
the year 1848, vol. i., pp. 1193, 1195, 1203, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1235.) 

Excess in number of vessels of Commodore Perry's flotilla 

over that of Commodore Conner 6 

Excess in artillery (flotilla 16, brigade 10) 26 pieces 

Excess in weight of broadside thrown over 100 per cent. 

Excess in land-brigade 900 men 

Note. — Bearing in mind the fact that the flotilla and land-brigade 
formed the only effective part of the Gulf fleet for attack, — the ships ^ 
being too large to cross the bars of the harbors and yet not powerful 
enough to batter San Juan de Ulloa, — it will be seen on comparing 
Commodore Conner's force with that deemed necessary by the govern- 
ment, and dispatched to Commodore Perry, how far from being suffi- 
cient were tlie means possessed by the first-named officer. The terms 

^In addition must be mentioned the surf-boats borrowed from the army. 
Field-pieces were mounted on platforms in these, so as to sweep the banks of rivers 
while ascending. Besides the armed steamer "Spitfire" there was also a schooner 
of this name, bearing Captain G. W. Taylor's apparatus for lifting vessels over 
shoals. (See Cominodore Perry's dispatch from Tabasco, June, 1847 ; also, letter 
from an officer republished in the " Rough and Ready Annual," p. 230. 

The steamers and gunboats were armed with long 32-pounders and 24's ; the 
bomb-vessels with 85-pounders. 

^ A body of twenty-five hundred men was Commodore Perry's aim. {Vide p. 
1193, Executive Documents, vol. i., a.d. 1848.) 

' For a list of these, see the Naval Registers of the times. Being comparatively 
useless, they are not recounted in this work. 



THE H03IE SQUADRON. 17 

inadequate and inappropriate are both properly applicable to this force 
of Commodore Conner. Inadequate, because it was not of sufficient 
power to assault San Juan, and inappropriate, because its vessels were 
unfit to enter the ports, and its lauding force unprovided with field 
artillery. 

Nor was this all ; it was for weeks rendered utterly useless, in 
consequence of the irregularity in the shipment of coal from the 
United States ; while such was the weak power of the steamers and 
the fragile build of the gunboats — not having been originally in- 
tended for war — that their sea-worthiness was not to be fully relied on. 
More than one did, indeed, go to the bottom. Nevertheless, and 
though the inefficiency of his means was known and acknowledged 
by the department, — as its communications still prove, — Commodore 
Conner was expected by the public to land, and to attack and capture 
the forts and towns of the coast. 

These places were well fortified, and their garrisons outnumbered 
his landing force. In some there were troops to the number of two 
or three thousand men. For instance, Tampico, just previous to its 
abandonment, was held by the following forces : Regular troops, one 
thousand; National Guard, two thousand; cavalry, one troop; artillery, 
a detachment. Three armed schooners, together with smaller craft, kept 
the river. The park of field artillery, with the heavy guns of the 
fortifications, amounted to one hundred and twenty pieces. Ammuni- 
tion, provision, and funds were in ample quantities. (See " The Other 
Side," page 100, — a Mexican history of the war.) And yet he did 
attack, in person and by his lieutenants, and with success, save in the 
instance of Alvarado, where, from causes already stated, he was unable 
to deliver battle in proper force. His want of fortune, in this case, 
was followed by the abuse of the thoughtless and ignorant. If there 
was a fault committed in this expedition, it was not in its withdrawal, 
but in attempting it with so small a force. The blame, however, must 
not rest on Commodore Conner, for he was impelled to the attempt by 
the Secretary of the Navy, who, erroneously supposing that the re- 
inforcements ordered had arrived, directed him to see no obstacles 
either in nature or opposing forces. (Hon. J. Y. Mason, official dispatch 
to Commodore Conner, of September 22, 1846.) 

Commodore Conner having originated the flotilla, suggested the 
brigade of infantry (two or three thousand men with field-pieces to 
act on shore. Commodore Conner's unpublished dispatches). The 
government, however, had not made sufficient preparation in advance, 
and consequently, when the war broke out, the Navy Department was 
unable to supply the requisite men, vessels, and materiel in time to be 
of use to Commodore Conner, so as to afford him that complete success 
which his long and arduous services in bearing up with inadequate 
means against adverse circumstances demanded. When the proper 

2 



18 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

vessels, materiel, and men did arrive, Commodore Conner, whose in- 
tention, as distinctly expressed in writing, was " to enter every port of 
the enemy in the Gulf," was relieved from the command, his successor 
reaping the benefit. 

Blessed not only with energy and ability, but also with unbroken 
health, Commodore Perry did not neglect the stroke of fortune which 
placed him in chief command just when all the requisites of success 
lay ready to his hand. He organized the land brigade, and, with 
skill and bravery, made full use of the now reinforced and effective 
flotilla. 

THE DESCENT ON VERA CRUZ, 

AS ORGANIZED BY GENERAL SCOTT AND COMMODORE CONNER, AND 
EXECUTED BY THE LATTER OFFICER AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
OF THE NAVAL FORCES IN THE GULF. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Leaving out the blockade, which was maintained solely by the 
navy from the commencement of the war, the siege of Vera Cruz may 
be divided into three parts, — the descent, the bombardment, and the 
surrender. The entire movement was a combined military and naval 
operation, in which circumstances so favored the array as to yield to it 
the most active, brilliant, and best-appreciated share of the work. 
Nevertheless, the navy did perform most arduous and important ser- 
vices. Among these was the descent, by which the army was placed 
under the walls of the enemy. 

It is evident from the first orders of General Scott in regard to 
this movement that he intended it to be performed directly from the 
chartered transports in which his army was embarked, considering it 
unnecessary to receive any but the most unimportant service from the 
navy. (See Temple's " Memoir," j90s^.) On reaching Anton Lizardo, 
however, and after a conference with Commodore Conner, General 
Scott, with his usual masterly comprehension, saw and at once appre- 
ciated the advantage possessed by that officer, with his armed, organized, 
and thoroughly disciplined force, over his own collection of merchant 
transports, and, moreover, approving the suggestion that, in conse- 
quence of the peculiarities of the coast, the army should be transferred 
to the ships of war, and the descent made by and from them, changed 
his plan, acquiescing in that of the commodore, which, with the addi- 
tion of that part of General Scott's which the purely military character 
of his force rendered necessary,^ was the one executed on the 9th of 
March. 

1 The alignment of the troops in their proper order of battle while in the surf- 
boats ; the adoption of the particular code of signals, as previously arranged by 
General Scott. 



THE HOME SQUADRON, 19 

Thus, it will be seen that the actual descent on Vera Cruz was, in 
its conception and execution, so thoroughly nautical that it must be 
considered a purely naval achievement. Such it was deemed at the 
time, 

MEMORANDA. 

March 5, 1847. — Commodore Conner receives General Scott, com- 
mander-in-chief of the army, at the naval head-quarters of Anton 
Lizardo. The army of the general arrives in transports, convoyed 
by the commodore's men-of-war. A fleet is soon assembled number- 
ing well on to a hundred sail, and containing the army of invasion, 
amounting to between ten and eleven thousand men, with horse, ar- 
tillery, baggage, and other maUriel. 

March 7. — Commodore Conner, receiving General Scott and his 
staff on board the little steamer " Petrita," visits and points out to 
the general those places previously selected by the commodore as 
suitable for the proposed debarkation. The two commanders con- 
curring in the opinion that the fittest of these places is the beach of 
Collado, on the main-land opposite to the island of Sacrificios, that 
point is fixed upon. A reconnoissance is also made of the castle 
of San Juan de Ulloa, its fire being drawn. Orders are issued for 
the descent to take place on the following day. Captain Forrest 
of the flag-ship being appointed by the commodore chief executive 
officer. 

March 8. — In consequence of a threatened storm, the movement 
is postponed by signal from Commodore Conner to General Scott, who 
repeats the same to his transports. 

THE EMBARKATION. 

March 9. — Between sunrise and 11 o'clock a.m. the army is trans- 
ferred from the chartered vessels to Commodore Conner's ships. 
About 11 o'clock a.m. the fleet, consisting of the men-of-war, some 
chartered transports, with the surf-boats (sixty-five) in tow, weighs, 
and, led by the commodore in the " Raritan," accompanied by the 
general in the "Massachusetts," proceeds from Anton Lizardo to the 
island of Sacrificios, where it arrives about 2 o'clock p.m. 

Between the hours of 2 p.m. and sundown the troops are trans- 
ferred from the ships to the surf-boats, which latter are aligned ac- 
cording to the army's order of battle, the van being led by General 
Worth with the First Brigade of regulars. The marines of the 
squadron, under Captain Edson, accompany this advanced division. 

During the preparation of the above arrangements, the flotilla of 
gunboats attached to the squadron — Commander Tatnall, senior 
officer — takes position within grape-range of the beach, so as to cover 
the landing with its guns, as previously ordered by Commodore Conner. 



20 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

THE DEBARKATION. 

March 9, continued. — About 6 o'clock p.m., the first division of the 
army being ready in the surf-boats, the order is given to land, which 
is done immediately, four thousand five hundred men being thrown 
ashore simultaneously on the beach of Collado, with colors displayed, 
bands playing, and loud cheers from the fleet. Others follow, and 
before ten o'clock that night — that is within four hours — upward of 
ten thousand men are placed on the enemy's shore, all armed, equipped, 
and provisioned. , 

On the following morning the general-in-chief lands, and more 
troops on that day and the following ones being debarked (under the 
personal supervision of Commander J. E,. Sands, who had succeeded 
Captain Forrest as executive officer), General Scott's force musters 
between twelve and thirteen thousand men, all of whom, with their 
baggage, provision, horse, and artillery, had been safely landed on the 
sea-coast in full view of Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulloa, and under 
the distant fire of their long-range guns. 

RECAPITULATION. 

The operations of the navy in the descent on Vera Cruz embraced 
the following : The reconnoissance of the coast in the vicinity of Vera 
Cruz, that a fitting place for debarkation might be discovered ; the con- 
voying of the fleet of transports ; the piloting of the same to safe anchor- 
age ; the organization and manning of the flotilla of surf-boats ; the 
transshipment of the troops from the chartered vessels to the men-of- 
war ; the transportation of the army thus embarked from Anton Lizardo 
to the place of landing (the beach of Collado, opposite the island of 
Sacrificios) ; the conveyance of the flotilla of surf-boats to the place 
of landing, their arrangement upon reaching that point, and the 
transfer of the troops into them ; the landing of the army, with its 
baggage, horse, artillery, and provision, and the covering of the same 
by the guns of the men-of-war, together with the continuance of the 
blockade of the city and castle. (See P. S., in this essay, for opinion 
entertained of " Descent.") ^ 

^ It will be noted that the descent embraced the three following operations, — 
namely, an embarkation, including a transshipment (a passage of about twelve 
miles by sea) ; a transfer of the troop into the boats ; and a debarkation. Thus, 
it was not a mere landing, but a movement of complicated and continuous actions, 
in which upward of ten thousand men were landed within four hours, and the 
whole operation completed in sixteen. 

I have based this statement on my father's official account ; others give a larger 
number of men, but I wish to avoid excess in estimate. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 21 

ADDENDUM. 

An Addendum to the Synopsis of the Services of the United States Naval 
Forces, acting in the Gulf of Mexico, under Commodore Conner. 

EXTRACTS FROM DOCUMENTS. 

N 

From the Presidents Messages. 

"During the past year the officers and men [of the navy] have 
performed their duty in a satisfactory manner. The orders which have 
been given, have been executed with promptness and fidelity. A larger 
force than has often formed one squadron under our flag was readily 
concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico, and apparently without unusual 
effort. It is especially to be observed, that notwithstanding the union 
of so considerable a force, no act was committed that even the jeal- 
ousy of an irritated power could construe as an act of aggression ; and 
that the commander of the squadron (Commodore Conner) and his 
officers, in strict conformity with their instructions, holding themselves 
ever ready for the most active duty, have achieved the still surer 
glory of contributing to the preservation of peace." — President Polk 
1845. 

"Orders were issued the commander of our naval forces in the 
Gulf [Commodore Conner], on the thirteenth day of May last, the same 
day on which the existence of the war was recognized by Congress, to 
place the coasts of Mexico under blockade, he was directed not to 
obstruct the passage of Santa Anna to Mexico, should he attempt to 
return. . . . The navy has co-operated with the army, and rendered 
important services : if not so brilliant, it is because the enemy had no 
force to meet them on their own element, and because of the defenses 
which nature has interposed in the difficulties of the navigation of the 
Mexican coasts." — President Polk, 1846. 

" In the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Pacific, the officers and men 
of our squadrons have displayed distinguished gallantry, and per- 
formed valuable services. In the early stages of the war with Mexico, 
her ports on both coasts were blockaded, and more recently many of 
them have been captured and held by the navy. When acting in co- 
operation with the land forces, the naval officers and men have per- 
formed gallant and distinguished services on land as well as on water, 
and deserve the high commendation of the country." — President Polk, 
1847. 

" If the services of the navy were not so brilliant as those of the 
army in the late war with Mexico, it was because they had no enemy 
to meet on their own element. While the army had opportunity of 



22 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

performing more conspicuous service, the navy largely participated in 
the conduct of the war. Both branches of the service performed their 
whole duty to the country. For the able and gallant services of the 
officers and men of the navy, acting independently as well as in co- 
operation with our troops, — in the conquests of the Californias, the 
capture of Vera Cruz, and the seizure and occupation of other impor- 
tant positions on the Gulf and Pacific coasts, — the highest praise is due. 
Their vigilance, energy and skill, rendered the most effective service in 
excluding munitions of war and other supplies from the enemy, while 
they secured a safe entrance for abundant supplies for our own army. 
Our extended commerce was nowhere interrupted ; and from this im- 
munity from the evils of war, the country is indebted to the navy." 
—President Polk, 1848. 

From the Reports of the Secretary of War. 

" To these forces [those already in the field] belongs the merit of 
the successes which have attended their movements, and these successes 
are not inconsiderable. By the operations of the land and naval forces 
we are now in military possession of the department of Tamaulipas, 
of the right bank of the Rio Grande for several hundred miles from 
its mouth, and of the department of New Leon.^ Coahuila and 
Chihuahua are in effect wrested from the control of Mexico ; all Mex- 
ican authority, both civil and military, has been displaced in New 
Mexico and the Californias, and these large and important provinces 
are in our quiet possession. Such are the achievements of our arms 
within the short period of seven months from the commencement of 
a war suddenly forced upon us." — Hon. W. L. Marcy, 1846. 

" Previous to the capture of Monterey, suggestions had been for- 
warded to him [General Taylor], but not then received, relative 
to a movement into Tamaulipas, more particularly with a view to 
taking and holding Tampico, the principal seaport in that State. Or- 
ders from the Navy Department were given to the squadron in the Gulf 
to co-operate with the land forces in this latter enterprise, or, if found 
practicable, to take that place without waiting for their assistance. In 
the month of December [1846] the column intended for this move- 
ment commenced its march from Matamoras and reached its destina- 
tion, taking Victoria in its way, on the 23d day of January [1847] ', 
but, before its arrival, a naval force under commodore Perry [this is a 
mistake. Commodore Conner commanded in person this expedition] 
had taken possession of Tampico. Shortly thereafter, the city and its 
defenses were turned over to the land forces, and the place has been 
since occupied by a garrison of our troops. ... In view of the 
capture and possession of the City of Mexico, it was not supposed that 

1 In the above-mentioned acquisitions the squadron under Commodore Conner 
assisted. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 23 

a movement for that purpose could be so advantageously made from 
the Rio Grande, hitherto the base of our operations, as from another 
base which might be selected, presenting a much shorter line. The 
attention of the government was therefore directed, as early as Septem- 
ber, 1846, to measures for the occupation of the principal places along 
the Gulf, and particularly Vera Cruz, as the nearest point which opened 
a practicable route to the capital of the Mexican republic. ... In 
preparing for this expedition, which had for its immediate object the 
capture of the city of Vera Cruz and the reduction of the castle of 
San Juan de Ulloa, — a fortress deemed almost impregnable, — it became 
necessary to draw largely from the forces on the previous line of oper- 
ation. . . . The expedition from the island of Lobos, under the 
command of Major-General Scott, appeared off Vera Cruz and effected 
a landing in admirable order near that city, on the 9th of March. For 
the success of this most difficult and hazardous operation the army is 
much indebted to the valuable assistance rendered by our squadron, 
and its services are acknowledged in just terms of commendation by 
the commanding general. . . . On receiving a refusal [to surrender], 
a bombardment commenced, in which our naval forces honorably and 
efficiently participated, and was continued with destructive effect [until 
the surrender of the castle and city]. Distinguished credit is alike 
due to the officers and men of the army and navy for this signal 
triumph. In the series of successful events which have attended the 
progress of the war, the capture of Vera Cruz, accompanied as it was 
by the reduction of the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, may well be re- 
garded as one of the greatest importance. Aside from its moral effect 
upon the enemy, its advantages in other respects are of the greatest 
magnitude, A fortress long renowned for its strength, with the large 
quantity of munitions of war there accumulated, passed into our pos- 
session, and with it was acquired the more effectual means of controlling 
the commercial intercourse with the enemy, and of excluding foreign 
aid and supplies along the Gulf of Mexico; a new and preferable 
base for military operations against the interior and the capital of the 
enemy's country was at the same time established." — Hon. W. L. 
Marcy, 1847. 

From the Reports of the Secretary of the Navy. 

" The home squadron has been under the command of Commodore 
Conner, who has distinguished himself by sound judgment in the 
performance of his duty. His force [including the squadron under 
Commodore Stockton, who was ordered to report to Commodore Con- 
ner, the last-named officer being commander-in-chief of the entire fleet 
in the North Atlantic, embracing the Gulf of Mexico] was much 
larger than has usually rallied under one American pennant. It gave 
efficient protection to our interests in the Gulf of Mexico, and con- 



24 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

tributed to spread a sense of security over our country, to its extreme 
limit of the Del Norte."— iJo7i. G. Bancroft, 1845. 

"The home squadron, on 13th of May last, consisted of the 
frigates ' Cumberland,' ' Raritan,' and ' Potomac ;' sloops ' Falmouth,^ 
' John Adams,' and ' St. Mary's ;' steamers ' Mississippi' and 
' Princeton ;' brigs ' Somers' and ' Porpoise,' and schooner ' Flirt,' 
under command of Commodore Conner. It has been increased 
since by the sloops * Albany' and ' Boston ;' steamers ' Spitfire^ 
and ' Vixen ;' brigs ' Perry' and ' Truxton ;' schooners ' Reefer,' 
' Petrel,' and ' Bonita,' and store-ship ' Relief.' During the last two 
years, the manaces of hostilities on the part of Mexico have made it 
necessary to confine the operations of the squadron principally to the 
Gulf of Mexico. On the 29th of March, 1845, the Acting Secretary 
of the Navy, in a confidential dispatch, informed Commodore Conner 
' that the President of the United States is impressed with the belief 
that it is a possible contingency that the government of Mexico may 
resort to acts of hostility against the United States, and has directed 
me to order the other vessels of the home-squadron, under your com- 
mand, to join you at Vera Cruz. The disposition of the President is 
to maintain the most friendly relations with the Mexican republic, and 
to meet any belligerent movement on the part of that republic in the 
most decisive manner. You will, therefore, so dispose of the force 
which now is or may be placed under your command as will give the 
most eflPective protection to our citizens and commerce. You will be 
cautious not to violate the rights of others, but to resist and punish 
any aggression on ours. If a public declaration of war shall be made 
by Mexico against the United States, you will so conduct your oper- 
ations as to show to her and to the world that, while ready to do justice 
and maintain peace, we are prepared to vindicate the national honor, 
and to visit on our public enemies the utmost severities of the war 
thus provoked. If without such an open declaration hostilities 
shall be commenced on her part, you will meet and visit them with the 
utmost promptness and energy.' And on the 16th of August, 1845, 
it was again impressed on him by the Secretary of the Navy, ' that the 
policy of this government is the preservation of peace, if possible.' 
In the extremely delicate circumstances in which he was placed by the 
menaced hostilities on the part of Mexico, Commodore Conner fully 
sustained his reputation for sound judgment in the performance of his 
duty. 

"On the 3d day of May, 1846, he received intelligence at Vera 
Cruz which left no doubt on his mind that orders had been given by 
the Mexican government to General Arista to attack the American 
army east of the Del Nort6 with the forces under his command. On 
the 4th, the commodore sailed with the principal part of his squadron 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 25 

for the Brazos Santiago, and anchored off the bar on the 8th, while the 
battle of Palo Alto was raging. Although too late to take part in 
that memorable conflict, the arrival of the squadron was most oppor- 
tune, and effectual security was given to the depot at Point Isabel by 
landing five hundred seamen and marines under Captain Gregory, of 
the ' Raritan.' A detachment under Captain Aulick, of the ' Potomac,' 
proceeded up the river to Burita, and aided in establishing a military 
post at that place. For these prompt and gallant movements, the com- 
modore, his officers and men, received the thanks of the President 
through this department. 

"On the 13th of May the Secretary of the Navy informed him 
that Congress had declared that a state of war existed between the 
United States and the republic of Mexico, and ordered him to exercise 
all the rights that belonged to him as the commander-in-chief of a 
belligerent squadron. Under these orders he declared and enforced a 
blockade of the principal ports of Mexico on the Gulf. The enemy 
had no ships of war which he dared to show on the open sea, and, de- 
termined on commencing war, precautions had been taken, in advance 
of the meditated attack, to place his public vessels in situations where, 
from natural obstacles, they could not be reached by the ships of our 
squadron. As soon as authority was given by the appropriations of 
Congress, measures were taken by the department to purchase, for 
employment in the squadron, small vessels of suitable draught of water 
to cross the dangerous bars which guard the ports of Mexico. Three 
schooners and two small steamers were purchased ; but the last of these 
did not report to the squadron, from uncontrollable causes until early 
in November [10th day of the month]. 

" On the 7th of August, Commodore Conner appeared off the bar 
of Alvarado, with a purpose of attempting the capture of the enemy's 
vessels of war in that river. The return of bad weather, endangering 
the small vessels in the open roadstead, and the rapidity of the current 
from the swollen state of the river, induced him to abandon his design, 
and to withdraw his force. 

"On the 15th of October he made another attempt to enter the 
Alvarado river for the same purpose. In endeavoring to cross the bar 
one of the steamers, having in tow the principal division of the attack- 
ing force, grounded and became entangled with the vessels in tow. 
The current could not be overcome in the state of the wind, without 
the aid of steam, and the commodore had the mortification of being 
compelled to retire. 

"On the 16th of October, Commodore Perry, with the steamer 
'Mississippi' and the smaller vessels, left the squadron at Lizardo, 
and sailed for Tabasco [in accordance with orders from Commodore 
Conner]. On the 23d he arrived off the bar, and with great judg- 
ment and gallantry captured the town of Frontera, with the enemy's 



26 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

steamers and vessels in jDort, and proceeding up the river a distance of 
seventy-four miles, into the interior of a settled country, and appeared 
before the city of Tabasco. He captured the vessels in the port, and, 
at the earnest request of the foreign merchants, humanely determined 
not to involve them in ruin by destroying the town. In dropping down 
the river one of his prizes grounded, and a large body of Mexicans opened 
a furious fire on her, which was promptly returned with great effect. 
The stranded vessel was got afloat and the Mexicans beaten off. But 
in this treacherous attack one American seaman was killed, and Lieu- 
tenant Charles W. Morris and two seamen wounded. Lieutenant 
Morris survived until the 1st of November, when he died of his wound 
on board the Cumberland. His commanding officers have paid a sad 
tribute to the worth of this brave young officer, whose untimely death 
is a severe loss to the service. The objects of the expedition were fully 
accomplished ; and, by the capture or destruction of every vessel and 
steamer of the enemy in that important river, a check has been given 
to a commerce bv which, no doubt, munitions of war were introduced 
into Mexico from Yucatan. Much praise is due to Commodore Perry, 
and to the officers and men under his command, for the skill, judgment, 
and courage manifested throughout the expedition. 

"On the 12th of November Commodore Conner sailed with a large 
portion of his squadron, and on the 14th the town of Tampico capitu- 
lated unconditionally without resistance. Three fine gunboats, and 
other public property, fell into the hands of the captors. The enemy, 
anticipating an attack, had withdrawn the garrison, removed the guns, 
and destroyed his munitions of war. The success of the enterprise is 
of great importance, and the enemy has lost one of the most con- 
siderable ports on the Gulf.^ Arrangements have been made to hold 
it, and the commodore is instructed to relinquish the command ashore 
to the officer of the army commanding the garrison, and resume the 
operations of the squadron. Additions of great value are made to the 
naval forces in the Gulf, by the capture of the enemy's vessels in 
Tabasco River, and at Tampico, and the prizes adapted to the naviga- 
tion of the mouths of the rivers along the coast will be equipped and 
usefully employed as cruisers. 

" The political condition of the State of Yucatan had induced a 
course of conduct towards her which exempted her from the evils of 
war. Having received information which justified the belief that this 
generous course on the part of the United States had been abused, on 
the 16th of October last I instructed the commander of the squadron 
' that the President has given to the new position in which Yucatan is 

1 The Mexicans were greatly affected by the loss of this place, considering it 
the "key to their capital," which the event proved it to be. It formed a 
rendezvous and base of supplies for the movement on Yera Cruz which culminated 
in the fall of the City of Mexico. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 27 

placed, by the pronunciamento of Merida, a careful consideration, and 
directs me to inform you that the State must be regarded as an integral 
part of the Mexican republic, and her people as a portion of the public 
enemies with whom we are at war, and you will act towards her as 
towards other portions of Mexico.' These instructions will be carried 
into effect. 

" During the past season the brig * Truxton' has been lost ; and the 
brig ' Perry' wrecked, but has been, by great exertions of Lieutenant- 
Commanding Blake, got to Key West, and will be brought to Norfolk 
for repair. The officers and crew of the ' Truxton' became prisoners to 
the Mexicans. An inquiry will be had as to the causes of both dis- 
asters, — a proceeding due to the officers and to the service. 

"No general cartel has been established between the two govern- 
ments to regulate the exchange of prisoners during the existing war. 
A proposition of the Mexican government to exchange the officers and 
crew of the ' Truxton' against General La Yega and the officers who 
accompanied him prisoners of war in the United States, was, by your 
direction [that is, the President's] acceded to, and the exchange has 
been carried into effect. Our officers and men were placed on board 
our squadron and sent home, and the Mexican officers, being at full 
liberty, have been offered a free passage in one of our public vessels, 
and I have reason to believe have sailed from Pensacola for Vera Cruz. 

"In concluding my report of the operations of the naval forces in 
the Gulf of Mexico, I deem it but an act of justice to call your 
attention to some considerations which must be borne in mind when 
forming an estimate of the results accomplished. 

" The navy of the United States is designed for the protection of 
our commerce in the most distant seas. The vessels composing it are 
authorized by law, and have been so constructed, in size and draught 
of water, as to navigate the ocean with safety. The outlets of the 
rivers emptying into the Gulf are protected by bars, which afford but 
a small depth of water, and the navigation of this confined sea is ex- 
posed to dangers for many months in the year by storms, sudden and 
violent, so that a vessel constructed with a draught light enough to 
cross the bars encounters considerable risk in keeping the sea. When 
hostilities with Mexico commenced, no such vessels belonged to the 
navy. They would have been almost useless, except to prosecute hos- 
tilities in her waters. Since the necessity arose, and authority was 
given, vigorous efforts to supply these means have been made, and will 
be continued ; but some time has necessarily elapsed before they could 
be provided to the limited extent which has been reached. 

" It gives me pleasure to bear testimony to the chivalrous patriotism 
which has animated the officers of the navy, of all grades, in 
prompting them to seek active service against the enemy, and to offer, 
with the most anxious desire, to be permitted to engage in the most 



28 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

perilous enterprises against the enemy, while those engaged in the irk- 
some and harassing duties of a blockade have performed tlieir dull 
and heavy task without a murmur, and with no stronger desire than to 
exchange it for some active and useful enterprise, however hazardous 
or difficult of execution. 

" I am strongly impressed with the opinion that an increase of the 
rank and file of the corps [marine] would greatly promote the effici- 
ency of our ships in their operations against Mexico. With light 
pieces, prepared as field artillery,^ on board each ship, the expeditions, 
which must include operations on shore, would derive important aid 
from increased guards of marines." — Ho7i. J. Y. Mason, 1846. 

"These orders [to take Tampico] were gallantly executed in 
November following [1846], and preparations were made with the 
greatest activity to enable the navy to bear its proper part in this in- 
teresting military operation [the reduction of Vera Cruz and San Juan 
de Ulloa]. Bomb-ketches and steamers were purchased, armed, and 
sent forward ; the ship-of-the-line ' Ohio,' destined for the Pacific, was 
ordered to the Gulf; the sloops ' Germantown,' ' Saratoga,' and ' Decatur' 
were fitted and sent down, and all the necessary means at the command 
of the department were put in requisition to make the co-operation of 
the naval force as efficient as possible. I cannot exaggerate my ad- 
miration of the conduct of the officers of every grade, who, waiving 
all privileges of rank and considerations of personal comfort, eagerly 
sought service in the expedition, and of the gallantry with which their 
duty was performed by those who were so fortunate as to receive orders 
for the service. 

" The combined operations were conducted with the highest skill 
and courage, and the city of Vera Cruz, with its formidable defenses, 
garrisoned with more than five thousand men, and armed with more 
than four hundred cannon, after a resistance of barely five days [of 
actual bombardment] capitulated with a total loss to the assailants of 
twelve killed, of whom six belonged to the navy and six to the army. 
The entire operation, from the landing of the troops, which was 
effected from the ships of war, to the surrender of the place, brought 
the array and navy into the closest contact, and the courage and skill 
displayed were not more honorable to both than the perfect harmony 
which prevailed. 

" The conduct of the officers and men of the squadron, whether 
on ship-board or in the battery on shore, received from the army the 
highest commendation, while the former enthusiastically applauded the 
gallantry and skill of their more fortunate brethren of the army. 

1 Though field artillery was promised to Commodore Conner, it — together with 
sufficient reinforcement of men to form aneifective landing brigade — did not arrive 
until after he had resigned command. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 29 

" On the 21st day of March [1847], Commodore Conner, who had 
been in command of the home squadron for more than three years, 
and whose health had greatly suffered from the long and honorable 
service, which he had performed in an unfavorable climate, after the 
landing of the troops, and pending the attack on Vera Cruz, trans- 
ferred the command to Commodore Perry. This gallant officer has 
conducted the operations of his command with distinguished judgment 
and success." — Hon. J. Y. Mason, 1847. 

"The enemy had no navy and an inconsiderable commercial 
marine ; our ships of war had, therefore, nothing to contend with on 
their appropriate element. ... In the Gulf of Mexico, from the 
beginning of the war, by co-operation at the Brazos, while the battle 
of Palo Alto was raging, by the capture of Tampico, by protecting 
the transportation and the landing of the troops at Vera Cruz, by its 
gallant co-operation in the siege, bombardment, and capture of that 
city and its defenses, by its successful operations against Tabasco, Tux- 
pan, Laguna, and other points in the interior and on the coast, but 
especially by holding a constant command of the sea, and by its vigi- 
lance and activity excluding contraband trade, and supplies of munitions 
of war from the enemy, the squadrons rendered the most important 
services to their common country. These services were rendered in a 
most inhospitable climate, and in the midst of suffering and death, not 
caused by the enemy in the honorable conflict of arms, but by the 
silent ravages of disease. All this was accomplished without with- 
drawing the squadrons from other stations. So effective has been the 
performance of the duty of the navy in every quarter of the globe that 
our increasing commerce in the most distant seas has felt no check and 
met no interruption, notwithstanding we were for more than two years 
engaged in active hostilities with an enemy possessing an extensive sea- 
coast on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Not a single American vessel 
was lost to her owners by capture by the enemy under the rights of 
war ; and there was not, it is believed, any material effect produced on 
marine insurance. " 

" These auspicious results, so favorable to our commerce and naviga- 
tion, are to be attributed to the respect which is universally felt for our 
flag abroad ; and that respect is the honorable reward of the skill and 
courage, the discretion and justice, the vigilance and boldness with 
which the navy has performed its duty. . . . Were it an undecided 
question whether the United States should foster and cherish a navy, 
the services performed in the late war would go far to settle it. With- 
out the guns of our squadron, how easily might the troops which 
formed the army of Major-General Scott, when crowded in transports, 
and crossing the Gulf, have been destroyed by a few insignificant 
cruisers? But for the same protection, with what advantage might 



30 THE HOME SQUADBOX. 

thev not have been met on landino; on the enemv's shores throngh a 
dangerous surf? But for the entire control of the enemy's ports, by 
our active cruisers, how long might not the war have been protracted 
by the introduction of munitions of war and other supplies for the 
enemy, and what disasters would not have threatened, if they had not 
befallen, our gallant army if the enemy could have prevented the in- 
troduction of these necessary supplies for our own troops ? TVho can 
estimate the loss of life and property which would have befallen us, if 
the tempting offers of the enemy had been accepted, and privateers 
had taken their letters of marque, so freely tendered, and ravaged our 
commerce in every sea, opposed only by the inadequate defenses of a 
merchant vessel and unrestrained by the navy ?"' — Hon. J. Y. JIason, 
1848, — Einal Beport of Xaval Operations in War with Mexico. 

From the Dispatches of the Secretary of the Xavy to Commodore Conner. 

" Xatt Department, Julv 2, 1845. 
<•' SiE. — I have read to the President your commendation of the 
Commanders, other officers, and crews of the different vessels of your 
squadron, and he instructs me to express to them through you his great 
satisfaction that they have so honorably sustained the confidence re- 
posed in them. 

" I should do injustice to the occasion, were I not to add, with the 
sanction of the President, that your coolness, vigilance, and good judg- 
ment, in the very responsible station which you occupy, confirm the 
hio^h opinion entertained of your devotedness to the public service. 
The information you have sent has been timely and reliable ; and your 
conduct throughout appears to have been marked with discretion and 
wisdom. 

'' Very respectfully, 

" Your obed' Serv*, 

'^G. Bancroft. 
" CoMMODOEE D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron, Pensacola." 

" Xatt Depaetmext, November 18, 1845. 
" Commodore, — The President instructs me to express his grati- 
fication at the good discipline which has been maintained in your 
squadron, and his approbation of the manner in which you have known 
how to protect and preserve the rights and honor of your own country-, 
without hazarding a single act which even the jealousy of an irritated 
foreign power could construe as an act of aggression. 
'' Very respectfully Yours, 

"George Ba>xroft. 
"Commodore David Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron, Pensacola." 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 31 

Navt Department, 5th January, 1846. 

" Commodore, — Yours of the 23d ult. is received. 

"Your views as to the employment of the vessels of your 
squadron meet the wishes of the Department wholly. 

" Keep them active at such points of your cruising ground, espe- 
cially in the vicinity of the West India Islands, as may seem most to 
require their presence. 

"The Department leaves you a wide discretion in the matter; 
always keeping in view the opportunity of frequent intercourse with 
Vera Cruz. 

" Very Respectfully, 

" COMMODOEE D. COXNEE, " G. BaXCEOFT. 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

[Private and Confidential.'] 
" United States Xavt Department, May 13, 1846. 
"CoMMODOEE, — If Santa Anna endeavors to enter the Mexican 
ports, you wall allow him to pass freely. 

" Respectfully Yours, 
" CoMMODOEE David Conner, " Geo. Baxceoft. 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

XoTE. — The foregoing dispatch, in relation to General Santa Anna, 
is endorsed in my father's own hand, — not that of his secretary. From 
this it is evident that Commodore Conner recognized and preserved its 
confidential character. I speak now of the original dispatch, its dupli- 
cate — all important orders were duplicated — I found enclosed within it. 

"Navy Department, May 30, 1846. 
" CoMMODOEE,— I am directed by the President of the United 
States to communicate to you the satisfaction he has derived from the 
prompt co-operation of the naval forces of the United States, with 
the array on the Rio Grande. 

"Your immediate procedure to the scene of hostilities was pre- 
cisely the course the Department wished you to adopt ; and the ser- 
vices rendered by your squadron in protecting Point Isabel are highly 
appreciated. 

"The Department contemplates this early co-operation of the 
naval forces, with the pleasing hope that they will continue to acquire 
a share of the honor obtained on land, and will add new lustre to the 
flag of their country on the ocean. 

" I am. Sir, Very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 
"CoMMODOEE David Coxxer, "Geoege Baxceoft. 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 



32 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

" Navy Department, June 10, 1846. 

" Commodore, — Your course in reference to the blockade of the 
Mexican ports is approved ; and the instructions issued by you on 
the 14th May, to the officers commanding the vessels attached to the 
Home Squadron, to be observed by them in enforcing the block- 
ade, are judicious and proper, and receive the concurrence of the 
Department. 

" In former communications, you have been directed to encourage 
relations of amity, with such of the Mexican provinces as will not 
co-operate with the Central government, in their hostilities against the 
United States and assume neutrality ; and the importance of main- 
taining this course towards Yucatan especially, was urged in my letter 
of the 19th of May. There can be no doubt as to the friendly disposi- 
tion of Yucatan. Will not the provinces of Tabasco and Chiapa be 
disposed to follow in the same policy ? Should such be the case, you 
will do all in your power to increase their confidence in this govern- 
ment, and to accomplish the views of the Department heretofore ex- 
pressed in reference to Yucatan. 

" Your repeated requests to be furnished with small vessels have 
received the most prompt attention, so soon as the law permitted. 

"You have already been informed of the purchase of three 
schooners and two small steamers destined for your squadron. The 
schooners ' Reefer,' ' Petrel,' and ' Bonito' are expected to sail from New 
York during the present week for the Gulf of Mexico with orders to 
report to the senior officer of the Home Squadron, whom they may 
find at Vera Cruz ; and the steamers * Spitfire' and ' Vixen' will follow 
as soon as they can be prepared for sea. They will be fitted out with 
all possible expedition.^ 

" The brig ' Perry,' ^ Lieut. Blake, sailed for Chagres on the 20th 
of May, and on her return will report to you for service in the Gulf. 
The brig ' Truxton,' ^ Com' Carpenter [recte CarpencZer] sailed from 
Norfolk a few days since, for the Port of Havana, on special service, 
and as soon as that is accomplished, she will proceed towards Vera 
Cruz to join your command. 

" In conformity with your recommendation, the store-ship ' Re- 
lief will be despatched as soon as she can be prepared. 
" Very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

"George Bancroft. 

"Commodore David Conjster, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

1 They did not arrive, however, until after the favorable season for incursions 
had passed. 

^ Stranded on her passage and forced to return for repairs. 
^ Lost on Tuxpan bar, August 15, 1846. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 33 

Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Commodore Conner, dated 
August 22, 1846, enclosing Copy of Order to Commodore Perry. 

" Navy Department, August 22, 1846. 
"CoMMODOEE, — Commodore Perry, having consented to accept an 
inferior command, has been ordered to proceed to the Gulf of Mexico 
to relieve Captain Fitzhngh in the command of the United States 
steamer ' Mississippi.' 

" Enclosed herewith is a copy of the order addressed to Commodore 
Perry, of the 20th instant, together with copies of letters to Captain 
Stringham ^ and Commander Nicholson,^ therein referred to ; also a 
copy of the order to Captain Fitzhugh,^ of the 21st instant. 
" Very respectfully, 

"G. Bancroft. 
"CoMMODOEE David Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

Order to Commodore Perry, enclosed in above Letter. 

"Navy Department, August 20, 1846. 

"Commodore, — Your several letters of the 14th, 15th, and 17tli 
instant have been received. 

"As soon as the two steamers ' Spitfire' and 'Vixen' shall be, in all 
respects, ready for sea, you will assume the command of them. I enclose 
you, herewith, copies of orders sent to Capt. Stringham and Commander 
Nicholson, of the 18th and 19th inst. You will consider them so far 
modified, that if it will not occasion more than two days' delay, the two 
steamers may leave New York together and proceed to Havana, from 
which port you will send Commander Nicholson to Chagres in the 
steamer which may prove best calculated for that service. 

" You will then proceed to join the squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, 
under command of Commodore Conner, and upon your arrival at Vera 
Cruz, you will report to that oflBcer for the purpose of relieving Captain 
Fitzhugh in the command of the U. S. steamer ' Mississippi.' 

" If greater delay will be occasioned by tlie foregoing arrangement 
than is anticipated, you will direct the steamer which may be first pre- 
pared to proceed at once with Commander Nicholson in conformity 
with the enclosed orders, and when ready, you will proceed yourself to 
join the squadron in the other steamer. 

" You are authorized to hoist a red pendant, if you think proper, 
but your command and pay, after joining the squadron, will not be 
affected by it. 

" Very respectfully Yours, 

" Geo. Bancroft. 
" Commodore M. C. Perry, 
"New York." 

^ Of no consequence in this connection. 
3 



34 ' THE HOME SQUADRON. 

[^Confidential.l 

"Navy Department, September 22, 1846. 

" Commodore, — I enclose you a copy of the reply of the Mexican 
Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the proposition of our government 
contained in the despatch from the State Department, which was for- 
warded by you. This proposition, dictated by an unaffected desire for 
an honorable adjustment of all points of difference between the two 
Republics, is thus, in effect, rejected. Under such circumstances, no 
alternative is left us, but to prosecute the war with energy, and to 
make the enemy feel its evils and respect our power. 

" I have carefully reviewed your correspondence during your pres- 
ent command, and I am aware that the Gulf of Mexico is an unfavor- 
able theatre for naval operations : but the season is approaching, when 
the danger from yellow fever on shore will subside, and it is earnestly 
desired that the naval forces under your command shall be actively 
employed against the enemy. 

" The steamers * Spitfire' and ' Vixen' sailed from New York on 
the 29th of August last, and, after executing their orders, will, it is 
believed, certainly report to you as a part of your squadron, before 
the time to execute the operations herein indicated. 

" With your forces thus augmented, it is believed that you can leave 
a sufficient number of vessels to enforce the strict blockade of Vera 
Cruz, and take Tampico. I concur in an opinion expressed by you in a 
letter of the 22d July ult : which I find on file, that it is more eligible 
as a depot of provisions and stores than Vera Cruz. A military move- 
ment is contemplated from the Rio Grande, and the capture of Tampico, 
by the naval forces, will be of the utmost importance to its success. If 
you are of opinion that the means at your disposal will not be sufficient, 
I desire that you will communicate to the Department without delay 
that the deficiencies may be supplied. The sloops ' Boston' or ' Decatur' 
will be put in commission to take the place of the ' Falmouth.' 

" It is earnestly hoped that you will see no serious impediments to 
the execution of the proposed operations of your command, either in 
the climate, the elements, or in the force of the enemy compared with 
your own. Their success is of the utmost importance to the honor of 
the navy and the public service.^ 

" The Department has entire confidence in your discretion and ca- 
pacity, and does not doubt that whatever can be done to promote the 
success of our arms will be done by you. 

" Very Respectfully, Yours, 

"Commodore D. Conner, "J. Y. Mason. 

" Commanding the Home Squadron, off Vera Cruz." 

1 The reasons assumed by the Secretary did not form the cause of delay in 
aggressive action; that cause consisted, first, in the total absence of light-draught 
but powerful steamboats ; secondly, the non-supply of coals to move the boats when, 
at last, they did arrive. 



THE HOME SQUADRON, 35 

" Navy Department, November 30, 1846. 

"Commodore, — The information communicated has been very 
satisfactory, especially that contained in your No. 106 of the 7th 
October, 1846. 

"The successful operations in the Tobasco River reflect great 
credit on the officers and men charged with its execution. In this bold 
incursion so far into the interior, the skill and courage displayed, the 
humane and generous course of conduct observed, and the sweeping 
capture or destruction of the enemy's shipping, have given the liveliest 
satisfaction to the President and to the Department. 

" The success of your expedition against Tampico entitles you and 
those under your command to the thanks of the Department. 

" Your course in sending Commodore Perry to New Orleans, and 
the measures taken by him, and the officers of the army in co-operation 
with him, as detailed in his letters, are approved. 

" Your determination to hold possession of Tampico meets my 
earnest wishes. It is difficult to estimate the important consequences 
which will result, directly and indirectly, from its occupation, in the 
prosecution of the war. 

" The Secretary of War will immediately issue the necessary 
orders, to furnish an adequate garrison, and the arms to secure it. 

" So soon as the troops shall arrive, you will turn over to the com- 
manding officer the place, and, returning your detachments to their 
respective vessels, and manning and arming your prizes, resume your 
operations with the naval forces, co-operating with the military force 
as shall be deemed best for the secure possession of Tampico, and 
harassing the enemy at other points. 

" Your movements, in this respect, are confidently left to your own 
discretion. 

" It will be well to despatch one of the frigates or other vessels to 
the Brazos, to communicate with the commanding officer at Point 
Isabel, and aid in the transportation of troops to Tampico. 

" Your charter of the ' Abrasia' was at a favorable rate ; but the 
high prices to which the present demand for freights has raised the 
charter of suitable vessels, have made it economical to purchase, for 
the use of the squadron, another store-ship to supply water and pro- 
visions, and a large well found vessel to supply the steamers with coal. 

" The necessary examinations have been made, and Commodore 
Morris leaves here to-day, to make the purchase at Baltimore, New 
York, or Boston. 

" They will sail without delay, with provisions and coals ; and the 
arms which you have requested ^ will be forwarded by the first which 
shall sail, or sooner if an opportunity oflfers. 

1 Commodore Conner's force was deficient in muskets, and totally void of field 
artillery, — so useful in making incursions. 



36 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

" A rendezvous will be opened at New Orleans without delay, with 
orders to ship four or five hundred men, who will be sent forward to 
Tampico, for duty in the squadron, as the enlistments are made, in 
numbers justifying the expense. 

" A list of the officers ordered to report to you is enclosed. There 
is a strong desire amongst the officers for service in the Gulf, and the 
Department has withheld oiders to many, under the supposition that 
the complements were full. The necessity for an increased number is 
appreciated, and further additions will be made, if found important to 
the greater efficacy of the forces under your command. 

" The important duty, in regard to commercial intercourse with 
Tampico, while in our occupation, by military conquest, will be regu- 
lated by the directions given in regard to Matamoras. 

" Copies of the instructions in regard to the trade of that place are 
enclosed. 

"The circumstances in which your command is placed, and the 
difficulty of frequent communication with you, make it proper that 
you should have authority, in your discretion to send any of the vessels 
North, which you may think it important to detach, either from the 
condition of the crew or the vessel. That authority is given, but you 
will take care not to weaken your squadron by the exercise of this 
authority without advising the Department, so that the deficiency may 
be supplied with as little delay as possible. 

" I have taken measures to provide some light field-pieces, with 
carriages, for operations on shore. They will be sent to the squadron 
as soon as they are ready. 

" Congratulating you on the important results achieved, under the 
disadvantages which have surrounded you, 

" I am, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" J. Y. Mason. 

" CoMMODOEE David Conner, 

" Commanding United States Naval Forces in the Gulf of 3Iexico." 



Copy, Ordei' of Relief . 

" Navt Department, March 3, 1847. 

" Sir, — The uncertain duration of the war with Mexico has induced 
the President to direct me no longer to suspend the rule which limits 
the term of command in our squadrons in its application to your 
command of the Home Squadron. 

" You assumed the duties of that command on the first day of Jan- 
uary, 1844, and it has been deemed most appropriate on the return of 
the steamer * Mississippi' to the Gulf of Mexico to order Commodore 
Perry to report to you as your relief. On his reporting, you will 



THE HOME SQUADRON, 37 

transfer to him the command of the naval forces of the United States 
in the Gulf of Mexico, composing the Home Squadron, and all 
orders and instructions from the Department which remain in any 
part unexecuted. 

" You will transfer your pendant to the steamer ' Princeton,' and 
proceed to the port of Philadelphia, and upon your arrival report to 
the Department. 

" I am very respectfully 

" Your obedient Servant, 

"J.Y.Mason." 
"Commodore David Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron" 

Note to Order of Relief of March 3, 1847. 

Commodore Conner received orders to relieve Commodore Stewart 
in command of the Home Squadron, November 29, 1843. He as- 
sumed the duties of command on the 21st of December, 1843 (not, as 
stated in the " Order," on the 1st of January, 1844). The "Order of 
Relief" reached him on the 20th of March, 1847, and on the next day 
(21st), at 8 o'clock in the morning, he transferred the command to 
Commodore Perry. Anticipating the speedy fall of Vera Cruz with 
the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, he remained until that event occurred 
(March 29), when he left for Philadelphia, arriving there on Monday 
the 19th of April, 1847, thus having the gratification of bringing with 
him the official news of the victory. 

" Navy Department, April 23, 1847. 

" Sir, — Your arrangements for the landing of the troops, which were 
executed with such brilliant success, fully sustained your high reputa- 
tion as an officer, and deserves the thanks of the Department ; and I have 
witnessed with lively satisfaction the evidences of zeal and cordiality 
which characterized your efficient co-operation with the array. 

" On your return home from the duties of a most responsible and 
arduous command, it gives me pleasure to invite you, by direction of 
the President, to take charge of the Bureau of Construction, Equip- 
ment, and Repair, about to be vacated by the resignation of Commo- 
dore Morris. You are aware of the important duties which devolve 
on the Chief of that Bureau, and I will be happy to have your ser- 
vices as its Chief in the administration of this Department. I shall 
not act on Commodore Morris's tendered resignation until I hear from 
you in reply. 

" I am very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

"J.Y.Mason. 
"Commodore David Conner, 

" United States Navy, Philadelphia." 



38 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

" Navy Department, May 3, 1847. 
" Sir, — Your letter of the 28th ultimo has been received. 
"In accordance with your request to be permitted to decline the in- 
vitation to you to take charge of the Bureau of Construction, Equip- 
ment, and Repair, the Department regrets that it cannot have the 
benefit of your experience and high professional attainments in this 
important bureau, and especially that your health is so much impaired 
by your long service in the Gulf. Every indulgence will be extended 
by the Department to facilitate its restoration. 

" The usual leave of absence for three months is hereby granted to 
you, at the expiration of which you will report to the Department. 
" I am respectfully, 

" Your ob' Serv', 

" J. Y. Mason. 
" Commodore D. Conner, 

" United States Navy, Philadelphia" 

Note. — Commodore Conner had been thcj^rsichief of the Bureau 
of Construction, Equipment, and Repair, upon its organization in 
1842. Previous to this date he had served as a navy commissioner. 
The following passage occurs in the letter of the Secretary of the Navy, 
in which that officer acknowledges the receipt of Captain Conner's 
resignation, which was caused by a severe illness: "My intercourse 
with you, both private and official, has been in every respect so satis- 
factory and agreeable as to render your retirement from office a matter 
of very great regret ; and I now acce})t your resignation only in defer- 
ence to your own wishes, and to your own views of what the condition 
of your health requires." — Mr. Secretary Upshur, January 6, 1843. 

Though it was customary with some officers to assume the title of 
commodore when holding high commands on shore, and though my 
father may be found thus designated in Mechlin and Winder's official 
"General Navy Register," so early as 1841, he never permitted him- 
self to be so addressed until after his orders to the command of a 
squadron, in 1843, when he was so styled by the Secretary of Navy. 

MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS. 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF A MEXICAN SENATOR TO COMMO- 
DORE CONNER, IN 1845, UPON THE APPARENT ASSURANCE OF 
PEACE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. 

(^Translated from the Spanish.) 

" At the same time, I cannot refrain from expressing the particular 
pleasure it gives me, that during the difficulties between the two nations 
you [Commodore Conner] have been in command of the squadron : 
because — and I say this without reflecting on any other of the chiefs 



THE H031E SQUADRON. 39 

of your Navy — I do not believe a more fit and proper selection could 
have been made. Your prudent and circumspect conduct has confirmed 
this since you have been before our ports, and I do not hesitate to 
declare this, for, judging from what I have heard here [in Vera Cruz], 
there is not one of my fellow-citizens but which thinks the same." 

" Orders No. 60. 

" Head-Quarters, Army of OccrrPATioN, 

"Fort Polk, Texas, May 12th, 1846. 

"... the reinforcement from the brig ' Lawrence,' under Lieut. 
Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and marines so promptly 
furnished by the squadron on its arrival, require a special acknowl- 
edgment to Commodore Conner and Commander Mercer of the Navy. 
The army is deeply grateful for this support and co-operation from a 
kindred branch of the public service. 
" By order of Brig.-Gen. Taylor. 

" W. W. S. Bliss, 

" Act. AdjU-Gm." 

Letter from Commodore Perry to the Secretary of the Navy. Copy of 
Rough Draft left with Commodore Conner. 

" U. S. Steamer ' Mississippi' 

"At Sea, Nov. 16th 1846 

" Sir — Being at present only Second in command of the Gulf 
Squadron it is not in my province to communicate directly with the 
Government on matters connected with the command, but at this con- 
juncture, and when there was no time for Commo. Conner to write in 
detail, it seems to be my duty to put the Department in possession of 
such information as may be useful, and I am less scrupulous in thus 
departing from the usual course from the presumption that in accord- 
ance with repeated assurances I shall soon be placed in chief command, 
and that the remarks now made may be considered rather an exposition 
of the plan of operations I should suggest when placed in that 
position. 

"It is unnecessary that I should urge the importance of the imme- 
diate occupation of Tampico by a Military Garrison of respectable 
force, with which a Flotilla should co-operate, in view of opening 
another & perhaps more direct and convenient communication with the 
invading army, and of establishing another Point d'appui 

" The officers. Sailors & Marines, now there, are portions of the crews 
of several vessels, rendered by their absence scarcely safe or manageable 
in bad weather Separated as these detachments are, from their ships 
without regular supplies of provisions or clothing, it is impossible that 
they can remain permanently as a Garrison, still I feel assured that 
Commo. Conner will hold out until he receives some definite informa- 
tion either from the Army or the Government at Washington. 



40 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

" Being satisfied that the Government is fully acquainted with the 
Military resources of every part of Mexico I shall not undertake to 
describe those possessed by Tampico 

"The Rivers Punuco & Carinel, with their Tributaries, pene- 
trate far into the interior, and offer facilities for transportation by 
means of small vessels & canoes. 

" Tampico is looked upon by the Mexicans as their most important 
Port. 

" The Department has I presume been already made acquainted with 
the attack by a detachment of small vessels & barges under my Com- 
mand upon the Town of Frontera & City of Tabasco. The sweeping 
of the River along its entire navigable extent a distance of 80 miles, 
of every vessel and craft, the utter annihilation of its present com- 
merce & the locking up of its mouth by the placing of small vessels 
within the Bar 

" There are many rivers emptying into the Gulf, the entrances to 
which are obstructed by dangerous bars, upon these Rivers are situated 
numerous flourishing Towns, some of them enjoying Considerable 
trade. 

" It is by taking possession of these Rivers by vessels of light draft, 
and by cutting off the entire trade from the Rio del Norte, to Cape 
Cartouch, that the people occupying the Eastern Coast of Mexico & the 
adjacent province of Yucatan can be brought to listen to the repeated 
proffers of peace made by the U. States. They are far from being well 
affected to us, and can only be brought to terms by the infliction of 
severe chastisement. 

" Previous to the capture of Tabasco an undisturbed trade had been 
carried on to that and the neighboring Ports and the whole Country 
was supplied with every necessary article of provision & Military 
Munitions not only indirectly by the way of Yucatan, but directly from 
Europe & the United States, many cargoes of Cotton from New 
Orleans had been landed to supply the Mexican Manufactories, and 
even now considerable Illicit trade is doubtless carried on with the 
United States, all this can & should effectually put a stop to. 

" The present boistrous season is very unfavourable for effective 
action, but much has been done of late and much can be done by prompt 
and energetic measures The two steamers Vixen & Spitfire are of in- 
valuable service, the latter however only arriving to take part in the 
Expedition to Tampico, a few more of such vessels would be highly 
desirable. The Gun Boats purchased at New York have also answered 
admirably, to these have been added, within the last month, several 
small vessels captured from the Enemy but we have no armaments for 
them. On this subject of sending out suitable guns and carriages for 
these vessels with the requisite munitions and officers & men I presume 
Commo. Conner has written to the Department 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 41 

" The two Steamers Captured at Tabasco may be made highly use- 
ful for towing armed vessels up the Rivers 

" In landing detachments from the ships we have found the want of 
Artillery — to remedy this I would suggest that each Frigate & large 
Steamer be supplied with Two light Field Six pounders, with all the 
appurtenances Munitions &c. complete and each Sloop of War with 
one. I believe it is now the practice in the English & French Navies 
to provide their large vessels with field Artillery, a most excellent and 
necessary arrangement with all cruising ships, and particularly with 
regard to vessels upon this station, where they have difficulty from the 
shallowness of the water in approaching within gunshot of the Forts. 

" All vessels on this station are short of officers & men, an extra 
number of which are necessary to supply vacancies constantly occur- 
ring. The greater number of officers that can be furnished to lauding 
parties, the better as their presence tends to preserve order & efficiency. 

" In conclusion I may repeat the remark, that from my observations 
the Mexicans are extremely prejudiced against the Americans. So far 
from appreciating the benevolent policy of our Government in its 
desire of conducting the war upon principles of humanity they seem to 
ascribe the motive to a spirit of indecision and a desire to temporise and 
build thereupon hopes of ultimate success in the war. 

" The Mexicans are not deficient in personal courage, nothing is 
wanting to make them good soldiers, than military discipline & a 
national ardour which cannot be expected of men impressed as they 
are into service, in the most cruel & ruthless manner. 
" With Great Respect, 
" I am, Sir, 

" Your Obt Ser., 

" M. C. Perry. 

" The Hon. John Y. Mason Secy of the Navy" 

" Sir, — The colors of the United States were triumphantly planted 
ashore, in full view of this city and its castle [Vera Cruz and San 
Juan de Ulloa], and under the distant fire of both, in the afternoon of 
the 9th instant. Brevet Brigadier-General Worth's brigade of regulars 
led the descent, quickly followed by the division of United States volun- 
teers under Major-General Patterson, and Brigadier-General Twiggs's 
reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed in 
sixty-seven [55] surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval officer, and 
rowed by sailors from Commodore Conner's squadron, whose lighter 
vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to protect the operation by 
their cross fire. The whole array reached the shore in fine style, and 
without direct opposition [on the beach], accident or loss, driving the 
enemy from the ground to be occupied. The line of investment, ac- 
cording to General Orders No. 47, was partially taken up the same 



42 THE HOME SQUADRON, 

night, but has only been completed to-day [March 12th] owing to the 
most extraordinary difficulties. ... To Commodore Conner, the 
officers and sailors of his squadron, the army is indebted for great and 
unceasing assistance, promptly and cheerfully rendered. Their co- 
operation is the constant theme of our gratitude and admiration. A 
handsome detachment of marines under Captain Edson, of that corps, 
landed with the first line, and is doing duty with the army. The 
enemy, at intervals, continue the fire of heavy ordnance from the city 
and castle upon our line of investment." — General Scott to Secretary 
of War, March 12 and 13, 1847. 

" We have no port and no possibility of erecting a wharf that 
would last a day, of any kind. Every thing of course must be landed 
in surf-boats, and from an average distance of more than a mile, on 
the open beach of the sea. Commodore Conner's squadron is inde- 
fatigable in assisting us." — General Scott to Secretary of War, 17 of 
March, 1847. 

Since the navy had thus been so " indefatigable" in assisting the 
army, Commodore Conner was naturally desirous that it should take 
a further part in the prosecution of the siege, and therefore proposed 
to General Scott the establishment of a naval battery on shore, to be 
armed and manned from the squadron ; and, having caused the ap- 
proach to be buoyed out to the castle, proposed — by way of forming a 
diversion — to assault it with his flotilla, which, though of light draught, 
was armed with heavy guns. On the 19th of March (the day before 
Commodore Perry's arrival) the general informed Commodore Conner 
by note that he hoped to open on the city by noon of the following 
day ; and that he would give him timely notice in advance, " so that 
your lighter vessels with heavy guns may join therein." 

In regard to the acceptance of a battery from the navy the general 
hesitated ; for he was in momentary expectation of the arrival of his 
belated breaching train. Noon of the following day came, but, the 
army not being fully prepared. Commodore Conner did not send in his 
flotilla to attack the castle. In the mean time. General Scott had 
made up his mind to accept the battery offered by the navy, and on 
the 21st he thus wrote to the Secretary of War: 

" I have made arrangements with the United States squadron to 
land six or eight of its heavy guns, with a competent number of 
officers and sailors for another battery that may be ready by the 24th 
instant, should the city hold out as long. The squadron will also be 
ready to unite the fire of all its smaller vessels in the attack upon the 
city. In an interval of good weather yesterday [March 20th] Com- 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 43 

modores Conner and Perry made me a short visit. Tlie latter expected 
to relieve the former in the command of the blockading squadron 
to-day [March 21st]. Though entertaining a very high respect for 
Commodore Perry, the whole army, with me, will regret the absence 
of Commodore Conner." — General Scoit to the Secretary of War, 
March 21, 1847. 

During the day on which the above letter was written a storm 
prevented all communication between the army and squadron ; and 
when, on the morning of the 22, intercourse was restored, the general 
found that Commodore Conner had transferred the command of the 
squadron to Commodore Perry. This officer at once continued, and 
carried out to completion, those manoeuvres which devolved on him as 
the successor of Commodore Conner. 

I have been particular — even to the extent of repetition — in giving 
the above statement, because — to those unacquainted, by participation, 
with the events, and who may chance to see alone Commodore Perry's 
printed dispatches — there would arise a natural inference that this last- 
mentioned officer not only carried into effect, but also originated the 
plan of the land-battery and the naval bombardment. Commodore 
Perry's arrangement with General Scott related to the time, not to the 
method of the naval attack ; this latter had been prepared by Commo- 
dore Conner in advance of the arrival of Commodore Perry. 

" The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly 
over the walls of this city and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa. . . . 
I have time to add but little more. The remaining details of the 
siege ; the able co-operation of the United States squadron, successively 
under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry ; the admirable 
conduct of the whole army — regulars and volunteers — I should be 
happy to dwell upon as they deserve." — General Scott from Vera 
Cruz, March 29, 1847, to Secretary of War. 

"The general-in-chief congratulates the army [on the capture of 
Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulloa] and tenders on the part of the 
United States immediate thanks to all the corps, regular and volunteer, 
including a detachment of marines, under Captain Edson, which 
formed the line of investment and prosecuted the siege to its happy 
conclusion. . . . Thanks higher than those of the general-in-chief have 
also been earned by the entire Home Squadron, under the successive 
orders of Commodores Conner and Perry, for prompt, cheerful, and 
able assistance from the arrival of the army off this coast. Besides 
landing troops and supplies and the strict blockade of this port, the 
smaller vessels, detached by Commodore Perry, under the immediate 
command of Captain Tattnall, joined for a time in the attack upon the 
city, at the imminent risk of being sunk by the fire of the castle ; and 



44 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

the land battery No. 5, called the naval, — which followed Nos. 1, 2^ 
3, and 4, served by the army, — at the end of two days was exclusively, 
after being prepared by the engineers and troops of the army, armed, 
manned, and commanded out of the squadron. This battery, in the 
successive tours of the gallant Captains Aulick and Mayo, proved itself 
highly effective." — General Scott's General Order No. 80, 3Iarch 30, 
1847. 

As I have before stated, the operations of the squadron, mentioned 
in the foregoing, though put into effect by Commodore Perry, were 
prearranged by Commodore Conner. 

Extract from a Letter to Commodore Conner, from the 

Commanding Officer of Her Britannic Majesty's Naval 

Forces before Vera Cruz. 

" Permit me before you leave the Gulf of Mexico to express my 
sense of the kind and considerate courtesy with which my countrymen 
have invariably been treated by you while commanding the United 
States naval forces. 

"Although ever strict in maintaining your just belligerent rights, 
you have, sir, caused the evils necessarily attendant on a state of war- 
fare to fall as lightly as possible on the subjects of neutral nations, and 
in prosecuting the war against your enemy, you have contrived to win 
even his gratitude by having on every possible occasion mercifully 
spared the poor and helpless. 

" Believe me, sir, you leave this [station] with the hearty good wishes 
of all in the British squadron, present and absent, and believe me, also, 
with those of the other nations. I trust that you may long live to 
enjoy the pleasing reflection of having zealously performed your duty, 
while at the same time your moderation and magnanimity have gained 
for you the esteem of friend and foe." 

Letter from General Worih. 
"Head-Quarters, First Brigade, Camp "Washington,. 

♦' Before Vera Cruz, March 28, 1847. 

" My dear Commodore, — I most sincerely regret that my duties 
deprive me of the gratification of going to your ship, to express my 
deep sense of your unceasing kindness and generous support of the 
army operations ; as also to say how highly all appreciate your ener- 
getic and cordial assistance. 

" In your relief from such arduous and harassing service, may you 
find health and a happy reunion with your family. 

" With high respect, most truly yours, 

"W. J. Worth. 
"Commodore Conner, etc., etc., 

" United States Navy." 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 45 

Letter from Commodore Charles Morris, Chief of the Bureau of Con- 
struction, Equipment, and Repair. 

" "Washington, 29 April, 1847. 

" My dear Sir, — The hope of seeing you here added to indispo- 
sition have prevented me from writing before to congratulate you on 
your return to your family after your long and laborious cruise. I had 
ardently hoped you would have had the gratification of witnessing the 
actual surrender of Vera Cruz and the castle during the continuance of 
your command. You had the honor, however, of doing nearly all 
which depended on the navy to produce its surrender, and the country 
now, and more especially hereafter, will assign all the credit of the 
naval operations to you. The debarkation of the troops appears to 
have been managed as well if not better than anything of the kind and 
mao-nitude. Your labor in the preparations and execution must have 
been very great. I am happy to find the officers of the army speak in 
the strongest terms of your cordial co-operation, and of your skillful 
management. Though my health is much improved I am still obliged 
to keep my room, and continue much debilitated. 

"Mrs. Morris joins me in good wishes for yourself and Mrs. 
Conner. 

" Yours, sincerely, 

"C. Morris. 

"Commodore Conner, Philadelphia." 

Note to Commodore Morris's Letter. — Commodore Stewart, senior flag 
officer of the navy, openly expressed his admiration of the nautical skill displayed 
in the descent on Vera Cruz, saying that he " would rather have landed that army 
than have taken two British ships," as he did, in one battle, with his single 
ship. Of course "Old Ironsides" spoke in reference solely to proof of seamanship 
and consummate power of organization and execution ; for we all know that there 
is no act like the act of battle, no glory like the glory won at the cannon's mouth. 

Such was the opinion, regarding the descent, as expressed by one senior officer 
of the navy ; I follow it by that of the admiral of the fleet, D. D. Porter. " In 
our war with Mexico, the United States navy performed a prominent part. 
Indeed, without its aid our army could not have landed and would have had to re- 
tire ignominiously, which would have been equivalent to a defeat." — The United 
Service Review, Vol. 1, No. l,p. 3, January, 1879. Article, " Our Navy," by Admiral 
D. D. Porter, U. S. N. 

Years after the event took place, " the landing" was referred to by writers on 
naval aflfairs, as a model for our officers in similar operations. 

At the time, it was said that the regularity, precision, and promptness with 
which this debarkation was efl'ected had not been surpassed, if indeed equaled, in 
modern warfare. That this opinion is correct, appears evident from a comparison 
of this landing with others ; for, although larger armies have been debarked, not 
one was ever thrown ashore more rapidly or successfully, — the landing being at 
the rate of thirty thousand men a day (twelve hours) ; that is, much faster than 
ever done before, while not a single mishap marred the truly splendid action, 
which, beginning with the navy at Vera Cruz, ended with the army in the triumph 
at Mexico. 



46 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

Extract from a Letter of the Hon. J. Y. Mason, Secretary 
OF the Navy, written after the War with Mexico. 

"A braver man never served in the navy than Commodore Con- 
ner ; and with a l^nowledge of his inadequate means and the terrible 
consequences which would have resulted from a failure, I carefully ex- 
amined his operations in the Gulf, and must say that my good opinion 
of him as an oflScer remains unimpaired." 

MEMORANDA. 
siege of vera CRUZ. 

3Iarch 5, 1847. — General Scott, with army in transports, is re- 
ceived by Commodore Conner at the naval head-quarters of Anton 
Lizardo. 

Ilarch 7. — Commodore Conner in the little steamer " Petrita," 
accompanied by the general and his staff, points out the places suitable 
for the debarkation ; of these, the two commanders concur in choosing 
the beach of Collado. Reconnoitre San Juan de Ulloa, drawing its 
fire. 

March 9. — Embarkation of the army in the ships of Commodore 
Conner's squadron, from Anton Lizardo; passage thence to the 
island of Sacrificios ; debarkation of the army (ten thousand men) on 
the beach of Collado (main land), in full view of Vera Cruz and San 
Juan, and under the distant fire of both. The marines of the squad- 
ron, under Captain Edson, land with the first line of the army, and 
join in its advance on Vera Cruz. 

March 10. — At dawn. Commander Tattnall, in the "Spitfire," 
under general instructions received from Commodore Conner — that he 
should occupy positions best calculated to annoy the enemy — advances 
under Point Honoros [Hornos], to within a short mile of Vera Cruz 
and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, upon both of which he opens 
fire, maintaining it [under the enemy's fire] for two hours, until re- 
called.—" Life of Commodore Tattnall," pp. 55, 59. 

March 13. — Investment of city completed. Communication be- 
tween army and squadron reopened by the cessation of the norther^ 
which had been blowing some days. 

March 18. — Trenches opened at night. 

March 19. — General Scott informs Commodore Conner, by note, 
that he hopes to open his batteries on the city by noon of the following 
day ; and states that he will give him timely notice later : " so that 
your lighter vessels with heavy guns may join therein."^ 

1 This note is in my possession. It is preserved with the many other docu- 
ments referred to, and is of special importance here, as showing distinctly that the 
shelling of San Juan by the flotilla was not an afterthought due solely to Commo- 
dore Perry, but, like the naval land-battery, a movement arranged, so far as the 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 47 

March 20. — Commander Saunders of the " St. Mary's," by note 
to Commodore Conner, volunteers to join the flotilla in its proposed 
attack, and requests permission to mount the heaviest of his guns in 
some of the largest of the surf-boats for that purpose. 

General Scott not yet being fully prepared, Commodore Conner 
withholds his flotilla from attack. In the course of this day Commo- 
dore Perry returns from the United States, with orders to report to 
Commodore Conner as his relief.^ 

3£arch 21? — At 8 o'clock a.m. Commodore Conner transfers the 
command of the squadron to Commodore Perry. General Scott writes 
to the Secretary of War that he had " decided to accept the battery 
of heavy guns from the squadron," which Commodore Conner had 
ofiered.^ 

Communication between army and squadron cut off' this day by 
tempestuous weather. 

March 22. — General Scott now being prepared, summons the city. 
Receiving a refusal, he opens his batteries. The necessary arrange- 
ments, such as buoying out the approach etc., having been prepared 
by Commodore Conner prior to his resignation of the command, the 
flotilla under Commander Tattnall is now sent in by Commodore 
Perry, and joins in the bombardment. 

March 23. — Continued bombardment by land and sea, the flotilla 
(led by the steamers "Spitfire" and "Vixen," Commanders Tattnall 
and Sands) boldly attacking the castle, which opens upon it. 

March 24. — Early morning : the naval battery ■* (on shore) opens 
under the command of Captain Aulick. 

March 25. — Afternoon : the enemy cease firing and send in a flag 
of truce, the city is beaten. Down to this time, from the landing of 
the troops, on the 9th inst., the city and castle had kept up a continu- 
ous fire, more or less severe. 

The commanding officer of the place, General Morales, escapes at 
night in a small boat. 

circumstances allowed, between Scott and Conner in advance of Perry's return on 
the 20th instant. 

^ The "Mississippi" was taken to Norfolk, Virginia, for repairs, on or about 
the 29th of December, 1846, by Commodore Perry, who did not return to the Gulf 
of Mexico until the 20th of March, 1847. 

* Down to the 21st of March, when Commodore Conner resigned the command, 
all of the naval operations of the siege were planned and carried into effect by him. 
After that date, though previously determined on and in part prepared by that 
officer, they were executed by Commodore Perry, his successor in command. 

* This battery had been repeatedly urged upon General Scott by Commodore 
Conner, but that officer hesitated to accept it for some time, in the vain hope that 
his own heavy siege train would arrive. 

* This battery is presumed to have been the heaviest — in single pieces — down 
to that time ever mounted in siege. It consisted of six cannon, — three 68-pounder 
shell-guns, weighing sixty-three hundredweight each, and three 32-pounder solid- 
shot-guns of the same weight. 



48 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

March 27. — Articles of capitulation signed. 

March 29. — Possession taken of both city and castle by the army 
and navy of the United States. 

On this day (March 29, 1847) Commodore Conner sails for the 
United States, bearing with him the dispatches announcing the vic- 
tory. He is saluted by San Juan de Ulloa as he passes by. 

RECORD OF RANK AND SERVICE. 
RANK. 

January 16, 1809.^ — Midshipman by warrant. 

November Q, 1811. — Acting sailing-master of the sloop " Hornet," 
by appointment of Captain Lawrence. 

September 25, 1812. — Acting Lieutenant, by appointment of Com- 
modore Bainbridge. 

July 24, 1813.^ — Lieutenant by commission. 

April 13, 1820. — Lieutenant-Commandant, by appointment of the 
Secretary of the Navy. 

March 3, 1825.^ — Master-Commandant, by commission. 

March 3, 1835.^ — Captain, by commission. 

July 10, 1841. — Navy Commissioner. 

September 1, 1842.— Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equip- 
ment, and Repair ; by commission on its organization, thus being the 
first to hold that office. 

November 29, 1843. — Commodore and commander-in-chief of the 
Home and West India Squadron. 

SERVICE.^ 

February 17, 1809, to July, 1809. Attached to recruiting rendez- 
vous at Philadelphia and Baltimore. 

July, 1809, to May 19, 1810. Frigate "President," Captain Bain- 
bridge, cruised on the Atlantic coast. 

1810 and 1811. — During these years, in accordance with the views 
then entertained by the Navy Department, Mr. Conner made two voy- 
ages in the merchant service. In one he was captured by a privateer 
and carried into Copenhagen, while the other was terminated by ship- 
wreck, on Sable Island. The furlough granted to him by the Depart- 
ment for the purpose of making the above-mentioned voyages having 
expired, Mr. Conner was ordered to the sloop of war " Hornet." The 
cruises in the merchant service were promoted by the Department, 
as being conducive to a knowledge of practical seamanship in young 
officers. 

1 Regular line rank. 

2 Here "service'' is reckoned from the date of an order issued until its actual 
ending; this gives longer terms than does the manner of calculating "service" 
followed by the Navy Department. 



THE H03IE SQUADRON. 49 

August 27, 1811, to May 27, 1817.— Sloop "Hornet," under the 
successive commands of Captains Lawrence and Biddle, in the 
squadrons of Commodores Rodgers, Bambridge, and Decatur. 

During this time the "Hornet" visited England and France (1811 
and 1812), the Southern Hemisphere (1812-13), and the East Indies 
(1815). Upon the declaration of war with Great Britain (1812), the 
" Hornet" participated, with other vessels of Commodore Rodgers's 
squadron, in the chase of H. B. M. frigate " Belvidera," captured the 
" Dolphin," a brig bearing letters of marque (Mr. Conner being placed 
in charge as prize-master was subsequently taken by the enemy's sloop 
" Hazard," and kept prisoner of war for several weeks), challenged 
the sloops " Bonne Citoyenne" and " Loup Cervier," blockading the 
former^ until driven ofip by the appearance of a line-of-battle ship, 
captured in battle H. B. M. " Peacock" and " Penguin," — Mr. Conner 
being third lieutenant at the taking of the first-named vessel, and first 
in the action with the " Penguin." 

On both of the above-noted occasions he was honorably mentioned 
in the dispatches of his commander. Captain Lawrence saying, " He 
would be doing injustice to his (Mr. Conner's) merits were he not to 
recommend him particularly to your (the Secretary of the Navy's) 
notice;" and Captain Biddle, that " he was an officer of much promise," 
and that " his conduct was in the highest degree creditable to himself, 
and called for his warmest recommendation." 

In the latter action Lieutenant Conner was wounded in two places, 
one of which proved nearly fatal, confining him to his cot for months, 
and rendering him unable to walk — save with crutches — for nearly 
two years. The ball, a grape-shot, entered his groin and passed out 
through his hip bone. 

From the above it will be seen that Mr. Conner was a participant 
in the opening action of the second war with Great Britain, — the chase 
of the "Belvidera;" ^ he was also in that which closed it, — the escape 
of the sloop " Hornet" from the " Cornwallis," 74. 

May 27, 1817, to June 12, 1819.— First lieutenant of the sloop 
"Ontario," Captain Biddle, in her cruise to the Pacific and Northwest 
coast of America, where, in October, 1818, formal possession was 
taken of the territory afterwards known as Oregon. While Captain 
Biddle landed and executed the formalities of the act of seizin on 
shore. Lieutenant Conner, as second in command, directed those on 
board the ship, firing the salute. 

^ Together with one of the enemy's 12-gun schooners. 

2 The affair with the " Little Belt" was not an action of the War of 1812, but an 
accidental rencontre preliminary thereto. It occurred May 16, 1811, while America 
and England were at peace. The " War of 1812" was not declared until the 18th 
of June, 1812, and its first naval action was the running fight alluded to in the 
text. {Vide Cooper's Naval History.) 

4 



50 THE H03IE SQUADRON. 

June 12, 1819,^0 Jia^/ 12, 1820.— On duty at the Philadelphia 
rendezvous. 

April 13, 1820, to July, 1821. — Lieutenant-Commandant of the 
receiving vessel at Philadelphia. 

April 6, 1821, to April 20, 1824. — Lieutenant-Commandant of the 
12-gun schooner " Dolphin." Cruised on the Pacific coast of South 
America, was the first United States vessel of her small size (one 
hundred and ninety-eight tons) to double Cape Horn, which she did on 
the 5th of January, 1822, with a terrific gale, and in a heavy sea, having 
parted from the Commodore in the " Franklin," 74. 

August 27, 1825, to September 15, 1829. — Master-Commandant 
rendezvous at Philadelphia. 

September 15, 1829, to May 21, 1830. — In command of the sloop 
" Erie," West Indian Squadron of Commodore Elliott. 

February 2, 1831, to June 17, 1834. — Master-Commandant at 
Philadelphia Navy- Yard. 

June 17, 1834, to October 1, 1835. — In command of the sloop 
" John Adams," squadron of Commodore Patterson in the Mediter- 
ranean. 

July 10, 1841, to September 1, 1842, — Navy Commissioner. 

September 1, 1842, to 3Iay 31, 1843.— Chief of the Bureau of 
Construction, Equipment, and Repair. While in charge of this office 
Captain Conner, Captain W. B. Shubrick, and Moncure Robinson, 
Esq., were commissioned to report upon the best site in the harbor of 
New York for a dry-dock, and also on the advisability of removing 
the navy-yard from Brooklyn (August 12, 1842). 

November 29, 1843, to March 21, 1847.^— Commander-in-Chief 
of the Home and West India Squadron, and the United States naval 
forces in the Gulf of Mexico.^ 

1 The order of relief is dated, Washington, March 3, 1847. I find from Com- 
modore Conner's jovirnal that he assumed the actual command of the squadron on 
the 21st of December, 1843, succeeding Commodore Charles Stewart. (See the Order 
of Relief, given in this volume.) 

Since this volume already contains an account of Commodore Conner's service 
while in command of the above-named force and station, it is not necessary to make 
any repetition here. 

2 The Home Squadron was intended, originally, as a school for seamen, and a 
force to cruise on the Atlantic coast as a succor and support to the merchant marine, 
— particularly during the storms of winter. To these useful, though comparatively 
humble, duties was subsequently added the ward-ship of the West Indian seas 
together with the Gulf. At the breaking out of the Mexican war, it had so grown 
in extent and consequence that the station over which its commodore was com- 
mander-in-chief was nearly, if not quite, equal to the present North Atlantic, 
•while it ranked first in numbers, force, and importance. 

In addition to the above-mentioned services, Commodore Conner, at diflFerent 
times, both before and after 1850, held important positions; such, for instance, as 
President of courts-martial, and of the Board of Examiners for Midshipmen, at 
Annapolis. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 51 

October 15, 1849, to June 3, 1850. — In command of Philadelphia 
Navy- Yard. 

September 13, 1855. — Placed on the Reserved List, leaves pay. 

DIED, MARCH 20, 1856. 
AGED 63 YEARS. 

NAVAL FUNERAL NOTICE. 

" Officers of the Navy and Marine Corps, attached to this Naval 
Station, both on duty and on leave of absence, are respectfully invited 
to attend the funeral of their late distinguished brother officer. Com- 
modore David Conner (in undress uniform, with crape on the left 
arm and sword hilt), from his late residence in South Fourth Street, 
opposite Prune, on Tuesday next, the 25th inst., at 10 o'clock in the 
morning. 

" Officers of the Army, in the City, and the First Division Pennsyl- 
vania Militia, not on duty with the funeral escort, are respectfully in- 
vited to participate in paying the last honors to an officer who has so 
eminently distinguished himself in the service of his Country. 

" S. S. Lee, 

" Commander and Executive Officer for Commodore Stewart, Com- 
mandant. 

" Commandant's Office, U. S. Navy- Yard, 
Philadelphia, 21st March, 1856. "^ 

GENERAL ORDER. 

" As a mark of respect to the memory of Commodore David Conner, 

who died at Philadelphia, on the 20th of March, 1856, who had 

rendered useful and important services to his Country, the Flags of 

the Navy-Yards and Stations, and vessels in commission, will be 

hoisted at half-mast, and Thirteen minute guns fired at noon on the 

day after the receipt of this Order. Officers of the Navy and Marine 

Corps will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. 

" J. C. Dobbin, 

" Secretary of the Navy. 
"Navy Department, April 1st, 1856." 

" United States Navy- Yard, 

" Philadelphia, April 3d, 1856. 

" My DEAR Sir, — I am much indebted to you for conveying to me 
the ' thanks' of Commodore Conner's Family for the part I acted in 
paying the last sad respects to the " Remains" of an officer so distin- 
guished as he was, and who had served his country by fighting her 

^ On the 25th of March his remains were placed, with naval and military- 
honors, in Christ Church ground, Arch Street ; subsequently they were removed 
to South Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia. 



52 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

battles, and who had sufifered up to the day of his death for defending 
her in the hour of trial. I served under his command, as his First 
Lieutenant, when he commanded the 'Home and Gulf Squadron,' 
and became very much attached to him. He was ever a kind friend 
to me, and I feel gratified that I had it in my power to do anything 
to honor his memory. 

" I enclose for the eye of the Family a copy of an order which I 
have this day received from the Navy Department, together with a 
copy of the notice I had put in the papers of the day. 

" With my kind and best respects to Mrs. Conner and Family, 
" I am, with much regard, 

" Yours very truly, 

" S. S. Lee. 
" Philip Randolph, Esq., 

" South Fourth Street." 

AWARDS OF HONOR TO COMMODORE CONNER. 

For Services rendered in Second War with England, 1812-1815. 

Silver medal for capture of " Peacock" "» National, by resolution 

Silver medal for capture of " Penguin" / of Congress. 

Sword from State of Pennsylvania, for above victories. 

Pension for wounds received in action between "Hornet" and 
"^Penguin." 

Honorable mention in dispatches of Captains Lawrence and 
Biddle. 

Admission to the floor of the senate-chamber. 

Welcome and dinner from citizens of MifSin County, Pa. 

For Services rendered during War with Mexico, 1846-1847. 

Thanks of General Taylor for assistance rendered to army of 
occupation. 

Thanks from General Scott for similar service rendered his army. 

Thanks of the volunteers of Mifflin and Juniata Counties, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Thanks of the War Department. 

Thanks of the Navy Department. 

Thanks of the President of the United States. 

The national thanks, — general to the whole navy, — by resolution 
of Congress. 

Thanks of the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey. 

Thanks to the City of Washington. 

Thanks of the City of Philadelphia, with welcome and dinner 
from civic officers. 

Thanks, welcome, and dinner from citizens of Philadelphia. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 53 

Honorary membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. 

Grant of bounty land from the United States. 

Invitation from the President to accept the office of Chief of the 
Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair. A special mark of 
confidence and esteem, tendered immediately on Commodore Conner's 
return from the Gulf. 

In addition to the above must be recorded the Mexican acknowl- 
edgment of Commodore Conner's justice and humanity {y. letter of 
Mexican Senator, given in this volume) ; also the British avowal of 
the same {v. letter of the commanding officer of Her Majesty's navy, 
on the Vera Cruz Station, given in this volume.) 

ERRORS NOTED. 

" Skrvicb Afloat and Ashore." 

Page 45,— Fifth line from top, " 1846" 1836. 

Page 74,— Seventh line from top, " 1846" for 1847, battle of Buena Yista. 

Page 83, — Anachronism. The expedition to Laguna made to appear as having 
preceded those to Tabasco and Tampico ; it followed them, being the last active 
demonstration against the enemy in the winter of 1846. In regard to the same sub- 
ject on p. 84, fourth line from bottom, Laguna is called the "first maritime town 
captured on the Gulf," — Tampico was occupied in advance ; see Chronological Table 
of Expeditions, in this volume. 

Page 88,— Third line from top, " 16th" of October for 15th ; second Alvarado 
expedition. 

, Page 89,— Fourteenth line from top, " Two or three days after" for the next 
day, that is the 16th of October, 1846, on which the Tabasco expedition was dis- 
patched by Commodore Conner. 

Page 125, — Thirteenth line from top, "General Scott arrived on the 6th of 
March," at Anton Lizardo. Commodore Conner states that it was the 6th; see 
his dispatch to the Secretary of the Navy, No. 136, dated March 7, 1847. 

Page 126, — Last line, sixty-seven surf-boats stated to have been used in the 
descent on Vera Cruz ; the number according to Commodore Conner was sixty-five. 
See his order of March 7, 1847, also Cooper's Naval History, p. 88, fourth line 
from bottom, edition of 1854.(?) The quotation is from Temple's (the late rear- 
admiral) "Memoir" of the landing. 

Page 128, — Seventeenth line from bottom. Commodore Conner stated to have 
commanded the Home Squadron for a period of four years ; it was in his fourth 
year that he resigned, having served from November 29, 1843, to March 21, 1847. 

Page 128, — Fourteenth line from bottom. Commodore Conner's constitution 
said to have been " naturally weak;" on the contrary, though never a man of 
heavy, robust habit, he was active, wiry, and strong until his health was injured 
by the effects of the severe wound received at the capture of the " Penguin," and 
the climate of the tropics. 

That part of Mr. Semmes's addendum in which he states that Commodore 
Conner was relieved of the command by Commodore Perry during the siege of 
Vera Cruz is perfectly true, and while I believe his tribute to my father's disinter- 
ested patriotism well deserved, I also fully concur in that paid to the energy and 
ability of Commodore Perry. 

Cooper's " Natal History," vol. iii. p. 81, second paragraph. The " Trux- 
ton" stated to have been lost in an attempt to capture the town of Tuxpan. Her 



64 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

commander had no such instructions from Commodore Conner. She was ordered 
to blockade it, but unfortunately ran on a reef. 

Emmons's "Statistical Histort of United States Navy." Page 82, — 
Tabasco expedition embraced in the dates October 17 and 27, 1846, should be 
October 16 to November 1. Page 84, — second expedition to Tabasco, stated to have 
taken place " Ja?iMary 14 to 16, 1847," should be June. Page 68,— second war 
with England, Captain Bambridge stated to have commanded the " Hornet" at her 
capture of the " Peacock;" Captain Lawrence was in command of the "Hornet" 
on that occasion. 

Mechlin and Winder's "General Naval Keqister." Page 515, — David 
Conner rated as third lieutenant of the " Hornet" at the capture of the " Pen- 
guin ;" he vf&s first lieutenant (see Cooper's "Naval History," vol. ii. p. 241, 
twelfth line from top. Muster-rolls of the "Hornet," Conner papers). At the 
capture of the "Penguin" the lieutenants of the "Hornet" ranked thus: First, 
David Conner ; second, J. T. Newton : third, Isaac Mayo. Mr. J. T. Shubrick was 
first lieutenant just before the ship sailed on her cruise, but, being taken ill, he had 
to be left on shore, his position being given to Mr. Conner. 

Keport of the Secretary of War, 1847. — Tampico stated to have been 
captured by Commodore Perry. This error is repeated in sundry publications. 
The seizure of this important place was made by Commodore Conner in person, 
accompanied by his second in command. Commodore Perry. The latter officer 
endeavored at the time to correct the mistake, but was too late, the newspapers 
having disseminated it. 

Commodore Perry had already displayed his energy, ability, humanity, and 
discretion in the Tabasco expedition, which had been intrusted to his sole command 
by the commander-in-chief. 

Miscellaneous Publications. — In the " Rough and Ready Annual," pub- 
lished by Appleton, 1848, it is stated on page 202 that the steamers "Vixen" and 
" Spitfire" were at the first attack on Alvarado. At that occasion neither of them 
had reached the Gulf (August 7, 1846) ; there were no light-draught steamers 
present. On the second attack (October 15, 1846) the "Vixen" was present, and 
also the revenue steamer "McLane," but not the "Spitfire." The absence of the 
last-named vessel and the presence of the " McLane" had a great deal, if not all, 
to do with the failure of this attempt; the latter grounded on the bar, throwing 
everything into confusion. So miserable was her construction that even under 
steam her progress was but three and a half knots per hour ; when out of coal she 
was utterly helpless, not being able to make proper headway with sails. She was 
known as "that abominable abortion." ^ 

I believe all of the small steamers attached to the squadron in the Gulf were 
side-wheelers, their boilers being much exposed, and their machinery, to a great 
extent, above deck. Though by no means perfect, the small steamers of the navy 
were better than those of the revenue service ; indeed, in a letter to his wife. Com- 
modore Conner affirms that had he been furnished with the former in proper 
season, both Alvarado and Tampico would have soon been in his possession. 

Accounts or the Bombardment of Vera Cruz. — In all of the accounts of 
the bombardment of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa — including 
the official dispatches — there is an omission in regard to the origin of the plan of 
operations therein carried out by the navy, and also in regard to the -pre-paratory 
arrangement thereof. As these had their beginning with Commodore Conner, 

1 Letter of " B. A." to New Orleans Picayune^ November 7, 1846. 



THE HOME SQUADRON. 65 

being prearranged by him, the neglect to state the fact amounts to a detraction 
from the services and merits of that officer. The naval shore battery had been 
determined upon, as likewise the bombardment by the flotilla, its course of ap- 
proach having been buoyed out. Commodore Conner, all prepared, was but wait- 
ing for General Scott to begin, which the latter — by note dated March 19, 1847, 
now in my possession — informed him would probably be on the 20th instant. On 
this day, however, the general was not quite ready, on which account the commo- 
dore withheld his intended order for attack from the flotilla. Just at this time, 
and while the bombardment was pending. Commodore Perry arrived from the 
United States with orders appointing him Commodore Conner's relief. The latter 
officer at once transferred the command, whereupon Commodore Perry, with 
his usual energy and ability, carried out the already prepared operations of the 
squadron. 

I add an extract from a letter of Commodore Conner to his wife, dated March 
31, 1847 (at sea), being the second day after the fall of Vera Cruz, upon which 
event Commodore Conner sailed from that place. 

" The 'Mississippi' — with Commodore Perry on board — reached Sacriflcios on 
the 20th of March. As I have informed you in previous letters, every preparation 
had nearly i been made for the attack on Vera Cruz, but owing to some gales of 
wind from the North it did not take place until the afternoon of the 22d. I de- 
livered up the command of the squadron to Perry on the morning of the 21st. 

"It has been a great source of satisfaction to me, in thus yielding the com- 
mand at such a moment and under such circumstances, to receive the most flatter- 
ing expressions of kindness and regard from every officer of the army and navy, — 
the former insisting that every preparation had been made to insure their success 
by me, while in command. 

" At any rate, no alteration was made in my previous arrangements." 

(See letters of General Worth and Commodore Morris in this volume.) 

" Notes on the Mexican Wak." By J. Jacob Oswandel (a veteran of the 
time). Eevised edition. Philadelphia, 1885. 

Page 64, — General Scott and Commodore Conner stated to have reconnoitered 
San Juan de Ulloa in the "Spitfire" on the 6th of March, 1847. This must refer 
to the reconnoissance made in the " Petrita" on the 7th {vide ante). 

Page 76,— Under date, March 13, 1847 : " Com. Oliver H. Perry now in com- 
mand of the fleet." Oliver H. Perry died in 1820; his brother, Commodore Mat- 
thew Calbraith Perry, the officer whose coming the passage is intended to note, 
did not arrive at Vera Cruz (during the year 1847) until the 20th of March. He 
assumed command of the squadron on the 21st. 

"Elements of Military Art and Science." By Major-General Halleck, 
U.S.A. (Edition of 1862.) 

At the time of our war with Mexico, " with the single exception of Vera Cruz, 
her harbors were entirely destitute of defensive works" (p. 412). This is a mistake, 
at least, so far as the ports of the Gulf, during the years 1846 and 1847. Thus, for 
instance, Erontera, Tabasco, Tuxpan, Alvarado, and Tampico were then defended 
not only by guns mounted in vessels moored in their ports, but also by land bat- 
teries and forts, — regular military earthworks, mounting cannon to the number 
of forty-nine (in 1847 ; thirty-eight in 1846) in the instance of Alvarado and more 
in that of Tampico, with garrisons numbering a thousand men or more. (See 
Commodore Conner's dispatch to the Secretary of the Navy referred to ante; Com- 
modore Perry's dispatch to the Secretary of the Navy for 1847-48 ; Executive Docu- 

* This "nearly" refers to the army: Commodore Conner was ready, and only 
waiting on General Scott to begin the bombardment. 



56 THE HOME SQUADRON. 

ment No. 1, p. 1192 et seq., 1200 et seq., 1207 et seq., and 1216 ei seq. ; Thirtieth 
Congress, second session, published at Washington, 1848.) 

Maclat's " Histort of the United States Navy," vol. ii. p. 179. — "On 
the 20th of March [1847] Captain Perry arrived, and on. the 21st he superseded 
Captain Conner in command of the Gulf fleet." The term "superseded" is here 
improperly used. An officer is "superseded" when displaced by another for fault 
committed ; when there is no fault, but the term of service has expired and his 
appointed successor's term should begin, the predecessor is detached from the com- 
mand by "relief," — he is honorably relieved of the command. This was the case 
in Commodore Conner's instance ; but the event happening in the middle of a siege, 
it was injurious to that officer, and gave a false impression of its cause. See this 
fully explained, together with Mr. Maclay's error in calling commodores "cap- 
tains," and the notion of the Kev. Dr. Griffis, in his "Life of Perry," that the 
command in the Gulf was divided, etc., refuted in my article entitled, "Commo- 
dore Conner," in the United Service Review for July, 1895. 

Parker's " Kecollections or a Naval Officer." Farragut's "Life of 
Admiral Parragut." — Por my answer to the assertions contained in the above- 
named books, I beg to refer to my articles in the Army and Navy Journal of Feb- 
ruary 2 and April 19, 1884, under the heading " Commodore Conner in the Gulf 
of Mexico," and the official dispatches of the commanding naval and army officers 
in Mexico during the war of 1846-47 (in manuscript and also printed in Public Doc- 
uments for 1846 to 1849), together with the opinions of Generals Totten and Halleck, 
based upon the report of the French engineer-officer present at the bombardment 
of San Juan de Ulloa in 1838, all of which confirm the correctness of Commodore 
Conner's views, and so are in refutation of those expressed in the two books named. 
(For Totten and Halleck on bombardment of 1838, see "House Document," No. 
206, Twenty-sixth Congress, First Session, vol. vi. p. 25, labeled " Executive 
Documents,"— A.D. 1839-40.) 

It is scarcely necessary to add that the pictorial representations of Vera Cruz 
being bombarded by a fleet of ships, led by a " three-decker," are entirely fabulous. 
There was no cannonade from the squadron, but its flotilla, as related, shelled the 
castle of San Juan by way of diversion, — an audaciously spirited act. 



END OF synopsis AND ITS ADDENDUM. 



MEMOIR 



LANDING OF THE UNITED STATES TROOPS 



VERA CRUZ IN 1847. 



BY 



WM. G: temple, U.S.N. 



WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING ALL THE WKITTEN 

ORDERS ISSUED BY GENERAL SCOTT AND 

COMMODORE CONNER. 



t^y^K 



% 



NOTE TO TEMPLE'S MEMOIR. 

{^Inserted by the Subscriber^ 

This " Memoir" was most kindly sent to me from the Navy Depart- 
ment by Lieutenant-Commander Rush, as the following letter shows. 

A perusal of the '' Memoir" and the orders attached thereto con- 
firms my statement, — to wit, that General Scott's original intention was 
to land the army himself, directly from the transports; but judiciously 
abandoning this scheme, he placed himself with his army, for the occa- 
sion, in the hands of the navy, and was by it landed and set down to 
the siege of Vera Cruz. Some of the passages most significant of this 
I have marked with stars. 

It is strange that this " Memoir," forever valuable to the soldier as 
well as to the sailor, has never before this time been printed and pub- 
lished in full, although existent in manuscript for more than forty 
years. Indeed, but a single history (Cooper's Naval History) has 
even given extracts from it. In consequence of this, I hope I may be 
pardoned if I now express, as well as feel, the high gratification its 
publication affords me. 

P. S. P. Conner. 

Philadelphia. 



58 



K. E.— B. 

" Navy Department, Library and Naval War Eecords, 
"Washington, D. C, March 5, 1896. 

"Dear Sir, — 1. I forward to you herewith a manuscript copy of 
the memoir by the late Admiral W. G. Temple, upon the subject of 
the landing of United States troops at Vera Cruz in 1847. 

" Trusting that this will reach you safely and that it is what you 
want, I am, with kind regards, 

" Very truly yours, 

" Richard Rush, 
" Superintendent Naval War Records. 
« Mr. p. S. p. Conner, 

" 313 South Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, Pa." 
(Enclosure.) 
de K. 

Oncers' Letters, March, 1852. 

" Hon. Will. A. Graham, 

" Secretary of the Navy : 

"Sir, — The following memoir, which has been prepared with your 
sanction, is now respectfully submitted with the hope of preserving to 
the service a record of the transaction it describes. It aims, also, at 
supplying hereafter the want that was so severely felt at the time of 
planning, beforehand, the details of this very affair, — viz., the want of 
something more than bulletin descriptions of similar previous oper- 
ations. In doing so it has been my object to give a simple technical 
narrative of the facts, as they occurred ; and in nowise to write a crit- 
ical essay upon them. 

" It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that this has been chiefly a 
work of compilation. Sometimes whole passages have been almost 
literally transcribed from official documents, to which I have been 
kindly allowed access; and in addition to this, I am under obliga- 
tions to several eye-witnesses of the operation for their verbal accounts 

of it. 

" Respectfully yours, etc., 

" Wm. G. Temple, 
" Passed Midshipman, United States Navy. 
"Washington, D. C, March 23, 1852." 



59 



MEMOIR. 

In view of landing the army at some point near Vera Cruz, surf- 
boats suitable for that service were contracted for, in the different porta 
of the United States, by the quartermaster's department of the army, 
under the following specifications : 

" The boats are to be built with both ends alike, so as to steer with 
an oar at each end, and to stow in nests of three each. They are to 
be built of best well-seasoned materials, in the most substantial manner, 
and iron-fastened. The keel, stems, deadwoods, aprons, floors, futtocks, 
and cap on gunwale to be of white oak. The drawings of the boats 
will be furnished by the department,^ and the shape be such that the 
futtocks may be steamed and bent; but the rising-timbers and hooks 
must be worked from knees, and not grain-cut. The breast-hooks will 
be required at each end ; in addition to which an iron strap must be 
brought round the stems on the wale about two and a half feet on each 
side. The bottom may be of white pine or cypress ; the plank to be 
in width from five to six inches amidships, and to be fastened with 
wrought nails and two rivets in each timber. The upper strake and 
wale to be of white oak. The boats are to be caulked with cotton^ 
and the seams filled with thick white lead. They are to have two 
coats of paint, inside and out; to be properly fitted with warping- 
chocks in the stem-heads, with white pine platforms and benches (head 
and stern-sheets), and with two ring-bolts in each end, and to be pro- 
vided with white ash oars and boat-hooks, and with iron tholepins. 
The thwarts must be of yellow pine, so fitted as to unship, and secured 
with proper pins and plates according to directions. 

Dimensions of 
Length, between rabbets at 

top, on gunwale .... 40 

Breadth, moulded 12 

Depth from rabbet of keel to 

top of gunwale 4 

Keel and stems, sided ..." 

Aprons, sided 

Floor timbers, sided ... 

^ It has been found impossible, thus far, to recover a copy of any of the draw- 
ings. 

60 



First Size, 


Second Size, 


Third Size. 


1 ft. 


37 


ft. 


9 in. 


35 


ft. 


9 in. 


! ft. 


11 


ft. 




10 


ft. 


2 in. 


: ft. 4Jin. 


4 


ft. 




3 


ft. 


9 in, 


5Jin. 






51 in. 






6 in, 


9Jin. 






9 in. 






8|in. 


1\\n. 






2 in. 






If in. 



Second Size, 


Third Size. 


2^ in. 


2Jin. 


1 ft. 2Jin. 


1 ft. l^in. 


6 in. x2f in. 


5 in. X 2h in. 


3 in. x2|in. 


2| in. X 2^ in. 


1 in. X 6 in. 


1 in. X 6 in. 


11 in. X 5Jin. 


If in. X 5 in. 


l^in. 


Hin. 


11 


11 


1 in. x2|^in. 


I in. X 2J in. 


14 of 16 ft. 


12 of 16 ft. 


2 of 18 ft. 


2 of 18 ft. 


l^Vin. 


Vein. 


140 lbs. 


130 lbs. 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 61 

Dimensions of First Size, 

Floor timbers, moulded in 

throat 3 in. 

Timber and room .... 1 ft. 3 J in. 

Kisings 6J in. x 3 in. 

Ounwales 3J in. x 3 in. 

Upper strake 1 in. x 6^ in. 

■^ale 2 in. X 6 in. 

Bottom plank 1^ in. 

Number of thwarts .... 11 
Iron plates round bows . . J in. x 2^ in. 

Number and size oars ... 16 of 16 ft. 

Number and size oars ... 2 of 18 ft. 

Iron wire for ring-bolts . . IjV ^^• 

Weight of anchor .... 150 lbs. 

" Each boat must be furnished with one anchor, to each of which 
must be attached sixty fathoms of three-and-a-half-inch manila rope. 
Each boat must also be furnished with two painters, of three-inch rope 
and three fathoms in length (spliced in to the ring-bolts at each end of 
the boat). 

" Of the third-sized boats, eight will be fitted with a windlass and 
two pipes, for weighing through the bottom. A solid piece of white 
oak, ten or twelve inches wide, two and a half inches thick, and sixteen 
inches long, will be let over the timbers to the outside plank on each 
side, and securely fastened. The centre of these pieces will be sixteen 
inches from the middle line of the keel and directly underneath the 
midship thwart, which will be thirteen or fourteen inches wide, and 
permanently fastened. Through each of these pieces and through the 
bottom will be a hole, fitted to receive a lead-pipe three-eighths of an 
inch thick and four inches diameter in the clear, which will be turned 
up on the bottom and made water-tight, and whose upper end will be 
turned on the thwart, bell-muzzled as in the drawing. This lead-pipe 
must be enclosed in a wooden-box for its protection, as marked on the 
plan. From the gunwale to the rising of the boat on each side, and 
let over the timbers to the plank, will be a chock to receive the gud- 
geon of the windlass ; the centre of which chock will be so far forward 
or aft as to allow the rope to play up the middle of the pipe. The 
windlass must be in one piece, seven inches in diameter, of the best 
clear tough white oak, and working clear of the chocks on the sides of 
the boat. On each end of it must be an iron ratchet, or pall-wheel, 
one and a quarter inches wide, with proper teeth ; and on the chocks 
will be a wrought-iron pall, one inch by three-quarters of an inch, and 
nine or ten inches long, securely fastened with a thir teen-sixteenths-inch 
bolt. The gudgeons in the ends to be of one inch and five eighths, iron, 
and fourteen inches long ; and a proper box to be fitted in the chocks 
to receive them. The windlass to be furnished with three iron hoops, 
two by one-quarter inch; and to have cut in each end of it (as 



62 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

marke<]) three bar-holes, two inches square. Each boat to be furnished 
■vrith six hickory handspikes. 

"The size of materials must not be exceeded, and the work must 
be in all respects to the satisfaction of such persons as the depart- 
ment mav appoint to insjjeot and receive them. Should the inspect- 
ing officer object to any of the materials or workmanship while the 
boats are in progress, they are to be rejected or removed, if already 
in place ; and when completed, the boats will be subject to further 
inspection and appraisal before they are received or the accounts ap- 
proved for payment." 

The bulk of these boats is shown by the foregoing specifications : 
and their average weight was found to be as follows : 

First size Hull, 6280 lbs. -f Oars, 242 lbs. = 0,522 lbs. 

Second size .... Hull, 5127 lbs. + Oars, 216 lbs. = 5,343 lbs. 
Third size HuU, 3942 lbs. + Oars, 190 lbs. = 4,132 lbs. 



Total weight of one nest, with oars = 15.997 lbs. 

Xo proposal for less than one nest, or three boats, was received, 
and the contract price paid was seven hundred and ninety-five dol- 
lars each boat. This price, which far exceeded their intrinsic value, 
was given in consideration of the very limited time (one month) al- 
lowed for their completion ; but it was subject to a deduction of ten 
dollars on the whole contract, for every day's delay l^eyond the time 
specified, and likewise to a premium of the same amount for every day 
gained in the completion of the whole number contracted for. 

One hundred and forty-one boats, or forty-seven nests, were thus 
contracted for and built according to the foregoing specifications ; and 
were shipped for the seat of war, partly in vessels belonging to the 
quartermaster's department, whose decks were cut to admit them into 
the hold, and partly on the decks of vessels chartered and otherwise 
laden by the same department. Out of this number, however, only 
sixty-five had reached head-quarters by the time they were required 
for the landing of the troops. 

Under such varied circumstances of transportation, of course, it is 
imjx)ssible to compute even approximately the cost (whether average or 
absolute) of getting the boats out there. 

It will be seen from what has already been said that, in the con- 
struction of these boats, time was the principal element considered, and 
that it was deemed expedient to sacrifice in a measure strength and 
durability to expedition. 

All the regular troops, with the exception of dragoons, and also of 
companies with field batteries, were brigaded as infantry by the general- 
in-chief (while at anchor under Lobos Island), as follows : 



TSE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 



63 



The First Brigade, numbering three thousand and s,xty-five men 
under the eommaud of Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, to consist of 
the Second and Third Regiments of Artillery and Fourth, Fifth 
Sixth, and Eighth Regiments of Infantry, together ^ith a company of 
il^uisiana volunteers serving with the Fifth Infantry, and one of Ken- 
tuckv volunteers serving with the Sixth Infantry. 

The Second Brigade, numbering two thousand nme liundred and 
=eventeen men, under the command of Brigadier-General Twiggs to 
consist of the regiment of " mounted riflemen" («-P°7%f;!- 
moanted), the First and Fourth Regiments of Artillery, and the Fir=t, 
Second, Third, and Seventh Regiments of Infantry. 

All the volunteer troops, excepting cavalry, were assigned to the 
immediate command of Major-General Patterson, to be organized into 
one division of three brigades. Only about three thousand five hun- 
dred of them had arrived out, however, and these constituted a bri- 
gade under the command of Brigadier-General Pillow 

The field batteries, under the command of Brevet Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Duncan, Captain Taylor, and First Lieutenant Steptoe, respec 
tivelv were ordered, when not specially detached, to report and serve 
with" Brigadier-Generals Worth, Twiggs, and Pillow, respectively 

The companies of First and Second Dragoons were consolida ed 
under the command of Colonel Harney, and they, together with the 
Tenn^see Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel Thomas, 
^ere generallv to be held under the immediate orders of the general- 
in-chief, but liable to be thrown into detachments with any portion of 
the forces in the field. The company of " Rocketeers and Jlountam 
Howitzers," under First Lieutenant Talcott of the ordnance, were to 
be likewise held under the immediate orders of the general-in-chief. 

With this organization the army sailed from their rendezvous, at 
Lobos Island, with the view of making a descent upon the coast in con- 
cert with the navy, somewhere in the vicinity of \ era Cruz ; and with 
the further object of attacking that city. 

In anticipation of the arrival of the transports off Vera Cruz the 
frigate "Potomac" and the sloops-of-war "Albany" and "John 
Ad?ms" were stationed in the vicinity of Isla Verde (»-e Ave mU^ 
to seaward of the city), with orders to put an officer on board each 
vessel as she arrived, to pilot her in to the anchorage at Anton 
Lizardo; or should the number of officers prove inadequate to thi, 
dutv, to furnish the masters of the transports mth such sailing 
directions as would enable them to pass inside of the Blanquilla 

Keef to the anchorage. , „ ^ j n „„ 

The naval squi^lron under the command of Commodore Conner, 
and the transports having on board the troops and t^eir equiptnen^ 
under the command of JIajor-General Scott, were thus concentrated 



64 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

at the anchorage between the Island of Salmadina and Point Anton 
Lizardo, a distance of some ten or twelve miles to the eastward of 
"Vera Cruz. 

As fast as those transports having on board any of the surf-boats 
arrived, the boats were launched under the direction of a lieutenant 
of the squadron, their equipment inspected, and everything belong- 
ing to them fully prepared for service ; after which they were hauled 
up on the landward side of the island, and arranged and numbered 
by divisions, — each division consisting of ten boats, taken from all the 
different sizes. 

In the mean time a speedy debarkation was resolved upon, it being 
important that a landing should be effected before " a norther" should 
come on, as that would delay the operation for several days. Accord- 
ingly the general-in-chief and the commodore of the squadron made a 
joint reconnoissance in the steamer " Petrita," with a view of selecting 
the most advantageous point for that purpose. The choice lay prin- 
cipally between Point Anton Lizardo, opposite which the squadron 
and transports lay anchored, and the beach directly abreast the island 
of Sacrificios. The great objection to the first of these two was the 
distance (about fifteen miles) that the troops would have to march 
before reaching the point of attack, while at the same time the road 
led through deep, loose sand, and involved the passage of one or two 
considerable streams. As to the mere landing, however, it was deemed 
quite as good as that near Sacrificios. The selection of this last- 
named point obviated the difficulty already mentioned, being within 
two and a half miles of the city walls ; although it had its own disad- 
vantages. The exceedingly confined space afforded here for a secure 
anchorage rendered it dangerous, in the then season of northers, to bring 
up many of the transports. It was therefore suggested to transfer all 
the troops from the transports to the men-of-war and steamers, and after 
their debarkation to order up from Anton Lizardo such transports with 
provisions and stores, as might first be required, which in turn might 
make room for others till all should be landed.^ 

In view of all these considerations, the beach near Sacrificios was 
deemed the most eligible point, and the debarkation was appointed to 
take place on the 8th of March. General orders were therefore issued 
on the 7th by the commodore and the commanding general, prescribing 
the necessary arragements. 

The surf-boats were apportioned for use among the following men- 
of-war, as follows : Frigate " Raritau," fifteen ; frigate " Potomac," 
twenty; sloop-of-war "Albany," ten; sloop-of-war "St. Mary's," ten; 
steamer " Princeton," ten ; and these vessels were directed to furnish to 

^ Subsequent to the landing, however, the transports were ordered to Sacrificios 
in too great numbers ; and a gale of wind coming on from the north, about forty 
vessels were blown upon the beach. 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 65 

each boat, so apportioned to them, a crew of seven seamen, and a junior 
or petty oflScer to command it. Each division of ten boats was com- 
manded by a h'eutenant, and in some instances was divided between 
two of that grade, the general direction of the whole remaining always 
with the senior. Captain Forrest, commanding the frigate " Raritan/' 
was ordered to superintend the whole operation. 

The officers detailed for this duty were sent on shore the day pre- 
vious to the debarkation, and the boats allotted to their respective 
ships pointed out to them, as they lay ranged and numbered on the 
beach, so as to avoid confusion and an indiscriminate seizure of the 
boats, when they should come with their crews at daylight to launch 
them. The boats' anchors were stowed in the sterns of the boats, with 
their hawsers coiled clear for running, and the coxswains were instructed, 
in case the landing should be effected in a heavy surf to drop the 
anchor from the stern outside the breakers, and to pay out the hawser 
as the boat went in, so that after the troops should have jumped out in 
shoal water, the boat could be warped out again through the breakers, 
without having received any injury from thumping on the beach. ^ 

Two of the largest-sized surf-boats were assigned to carry the 
officers and men of a company of ninety men and upward, two of the 
middle size to a company of eighty men and upward, two of the small- 
est to a company under eighty, officers and men. Each of these boats, 
therefore, would hold a platoon (half company) and officers, together 
with its own crew. The platoons were directed to supply any defi- 
ciency of oarsmen in their respective boats, but at the same time, to 
land with their companies. 

The troops were ordered to be in readiness for the following distri- 
bution among the different men-of-war and steamers, to take passage 
from Anton Lizardo to Sacrificios. 

The first line, under Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, consisting of 
the First Brigade of Regulars and Captain Swift's company of sappers 
and miners, to be received on board the frigate " Raritan," and the 
steamers " Princeton" and " Edith." The field batteries of Captain 
Taylor and Lieutenant Talcott (also attached to this line and to be 
landed with them) to be towed up, in their respective transports, by the 
steamers " Massachusetts" and " Alabama." 

The second line, under Major-General Patterson, consisting of the 
First Brigade of volunteers, commanded by Brigadier-General Pillow, 
and the South Carolina Regiment of volunteers ^ (all of the Second 

1 This precaution, however, proved unnecessary at the time of landing, from 
the smooth state of the water, but at a later period while landing heavy articles in 
a surf, it was resorted to with great success. It should be remembered while read- 
ing these instructions that the boats were built with both ends alike. 

2 The South Carolina Kegiment, finding themselves crowded out of the vessels 
assigned to their transportation, asked and received permission of Captain Sands, of 
the steamer " Vixen," to take passage in his vessel. 

5 



66 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 



Brigade that had yet arrived out), to be received on board the frigate 
" Potomac" and the steamers " Alabama" and " Virginia." 

The reserve, under Brigadier-General Twiggs, consisting of the 
Second Brigade of Regulars, to be received on board the sloops-of-war 
" Albany " and " St. Mary's," the brig " Porpoise," and the steamers 
" Massachusetts," " Eudora," and " Petrita." 

The tonnage of these vessels, together with that of others which 
will be mentioned hereafter in this memoir, appears in the following 
list : 



Frigate " Karitan" (Navy 

Frigate " Potomac" (Navy 

Sloop "Albany" (Navy. 

Sloop "St. Mary's" (Navy. 

Steamer " Princeton" (Navy. 

Steamer " Spitfire" (Navy. 

Steamer "Vixen" (Navy. 

Steamer " Petrita" (Navy. 

Brig "Porpoise" (Navy. 

Schooner " Petrel" (Navy. 

Schooner " Keefer" (Navy. 

Schooner " Bonita" (Navy. 

Schooner "Falcon" (Navy. 

Schooner " Tampico" (Navy. 

Steamer " Massachusetts" (Army. 

Steamer " Alabama" (Army. 

Steamer " Edith" (Army. 

Steamer " Virginia" (Army. 

Steamer " Eudora" (Army. 



Tons. 

1726 

1726 

1064 

958 

672 

228 

200 

About 200 

224 



- About 75 



About 700 
About 700 
About 430 
About 400 
About 260 



Every man of the army was directed to take in his haversack 
bread and meat (cooked) for two days, and the vessels of war were 
ordered to supply the troops with water and provisions, while on 

board. 

A system of signals had been arranged beforehand by the general- 
in-chief, by which the transports were to indicate the number of boats 
required by each one to take from them the troops they had on board. 
They were to hoist a flag at the fore for each boat required to receive 
the first line, and to haul them down as the boats arrived alongside. 
In like manner at the main for the second line, and at the mizzen for 
the reserve. 

All the preliminary arrangements were thus completed on the 
evening of the 7th, but the next morning there were indications of a 
norther, and the movement was postponed. At sunrise on the morning 
of the 9th the officers and men detailed for that duty were sent from 
the men-of-war to launch and man the surf-boats. Those divisions of 
boats manned by the " Raritan" and " Princeton" were assigned to the 
transfer of the first line, going for them whenever a transport had 
flags flying at the fore, and taking them to the vessels of war and 



THE U. S. TROOPS Al VERA CRUZ, 67 

steamers, according to the hereinbefore-mentioued distribution. In 
like manner those divisions manned by the " Potomac" were assigned 
to the transfer of the second line, and those by the " Albany" and 
" St. Mary's" to the reserve. 

Each of the frigates received on board between twenty-five and 
twenty-eight hundred men, with their arms and accoutrements; the 
sloops received about nine hundred each, and the smaller vessels 
numbers in proportion. 

When all were transferred, the fifteen boats belonging to the " Rar- 
itan" were taken to the steamer " Spitfire," to be towed to Sacrificios ; 
the steamer " Vixen" went alongside the " Potomac," and took in tow 
the twenty-boats belonging to her ; the " Albany" sent her ten to the 
steamer " Eudora ;" the " St. Mary's" ten were sent to the steamer " Pe- 
trita ;" and the " Princeton" took in tow her own ten. At the same 
time the vessels so sending them detailed two lieutenants and two mid- 
shipmen to remain on board the towing steamers and look out for their 
boats, together with two seamen for each boat, who were to remain in 
them and steer them daring the tow. 

This part of the movement was completed very successfully about 
eleven o'clock a.m. ; and a few moments thereafter the squadron and 
such of the transports as had been selected for the purpose got under 
way for Sacrificios, the general-in-chief on board the steamer "Mas- 
sachusetts," and the commodore of the squadron in the frigate 
" Raritan." 

The weather was very fine, with a fresh yet gentle breeze from the 
southeast, and a perfectly smooth sea. The passage to Sacrificios 
occupied between two and three hours. Each vessel came in and 
anchored in the small space previously allotted to her, without the 
slightest disorder or confusion, the anchorage being still very much 
crowded, notwithstanding the number of transports that had been left 
behind. 

The debarkation commenced on the instant. Each vessel reclaim- 
ing her surf-boats from the steamer that had towed them up, sent 
them to receive the first line. The " Princeton" was ordered to take 
a position abreast the landing place, and as near the shore as possible ; 
and the surf-boats were directed after receiving their quota of soldiers 
to rendezvous astern of her, and to form there in a double line ahead, 
according to regiments and companies and in prescribed order of battle, 
the two head boats holding on to each quarter of the " Princeton," 
other two holding on to them, and so on, with the regimental flag 
flying in the head boat of each regiment. 

In the mean time, while this work of transfer and arrangement 
was going on, the steamers "Spitfire" and "Vixen," and the five 
gunboats " Petrel," " Bonita," " Reefer," " Falcon," and " Tampico" 
were ordered to anchor in a line parallel with and as close in to the 



?5 THE r, S. TBOOPS AT VF.Ra CEVZ 

beach a« t}>eT cvxi^ii c«, to oovw th* l^utKiing viih their grun? if n^- 
cessjay, Ti»ese vessftfe ^f«* arawd dii^y with o2-pcvurKler shell- 
jnais. »id rn^we vvf ^aoek %lrt «b«ft (finim five to eight leei'l that 
ii»«T -were «nlife)d to take pc^tkas ^thin good grape range of the 

IHImi all mis pRpaured, tlie boats «ast off iirom the ** PntKeron'' 
Mid iWm eac^ odwr, dq[«kred a^ray in "^^ line abreast," ami palktl in 
tc^reoho- TO the beaek, abac ^k troofe kaded witboat tbe slightest 
^p^^^aooB. Tbe boats kaaedKitelr rHhoinied to tbe \^ess)^s Kv the 
SKMid fiat of tbe anaj, ^id afierv^ards for the i>Bserve^ and without 
-vaitix^ to £)t^ a^*^ ^ oivW of batde tber ccntinued to ixmr the 
troof^ upon tbe beack ia soeeesave trip? as fet as they coald coxae 
ai>d gck. At snae pbos die loaded boars grviaijded on the l«ar or lals^e 
beac^ dcaae twnty yards fron diy lai>d. ai>d the trcK^ had to ^rade 
tbroa^ «aist-de^ mtiber to get asbore. Ibis oomrred in oompaia- 
tiv^ i«v ttstaae^ bovvver, aad aside from the inotwveaieDoe c^ 
i^ese i&w weodm^ mot an acddent of any kii>d oeraned thnw^boot 
tbe wbok openoioeu Xo exMfBy appeared to di^xite the grxrand. and 
Geaetal Wonb bad tbe sads&cDoa of ^xming bis oommaad npon the 
■g g b b o ra^ saad-bills jast b^ore sanset. Tbe laadii^ comnoioed 
^Msat ibe niddle of tbe af^enMOB, and before tea o'ckick that night 
^MRaxd of tea tboosud mtoL. vitb stores aad piovisiQiis £w several 
day«^ were saftly depos^ed on tbe beadi. 

Tbe j Aoatg ^Xew Orkans.'' vith tbe T<oui«aaiia Begiiaent of 
i«knKess,e^t b n a dre d stiong, aniv^ at Anton Lisudo just as tbe 
sqaadiOB bad been pait is ■odoa for Sactificios. Sbe joined tbena, 
and ber tioops, togeiber vkb tbe aaiiiis of tbe sqaadron (wbo ibnaed 
a batiafiaa oder tbe rya»d of Guptaia Edson of tbe Marine 
Obits), ^rere Inaded vitb tbe otbem. Otber tioap-sbi^ came in sab- 
BB^aouly, SD dnt: on tbe 24tb of Martb tbe fidd-retnn sboved a total 
of t««k« tboaBsad ax bnn&ed and diree nHfli. 

Ih iIm BiiBB l i i , ■! 11, Ibi i i M | >nrtr were oraered ^soooessiTdj 
fi«iB AaftonIiaada^sadiAcBev«r tkeafeatbcrwooldpennit diesDif- 
baat^ (still mammeA and iiffiiind final tbe sqnadron) vete eonslaad j 
iMpUiiil ia laiffing aatiOery, boEse^ faim iiiiiw i, stores, etc For tbe 
idbecf nni^nnd fejjjtu a ia Ibis voik, an offioer vas stadoned on tbe 
beaeb, faroiig dg gmenl s^e rinifilriwjE of tfce wb o le,and all offieetB 
m dbatge of starf^xm^ wen *liiwH**i to K^oit to bim ior Antber 
airieK, aniBe&telT on lan£i^ In addition to tbk, tbe bnsinesB of 
laifing Ae difierent ai titles was asB^ned to diffctent friwils, so tbafc 
AediviaBnofbonteheianging to one skip attended to geUi^ tbe bones 
adbne,dMBeof laii ib i i Ae fina g gy a n ntbiT Ae paw ihiu n h ^ «ad so on. 

leyeedve vcBBdB, and on tbe ^penance of a nortber tbej 
apandsIdMdof 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CBUZ, €9 



Ih li&ig the h ums and anles, if LtuMfthL out iBasanllTeaBd 
luivuig iigpt Hiiugli^tMe.> w<BC llifuwii uvcibund as neaur tbe l**^!* as 
Ae vcaaefe cooU aifidhr get ; if iaahige imuel , tfaejr voefiist prtoa 
boand the Aeuner *" Petnta," vUdi voal «1~eT*' ^ iceeiiis tfaeai, 
and taken as fin- in as prnwhlr, and in either case thef woe afier- 
waida ande to swim ashate ia tov<^ the saDrf4iaBts. In ths mar 
neaiif fire hundred were got adhme in one daj bir a angle divii i o n of 

In landing the field axtiDexT, two anf-faoats fadhed ade hf ade 
and wAh a p hiio ta i of phnkhid athwart their gmwaies were tauqg^ 
ahrngside the ti a nayjH having the batteries on bond, and two fieU 
pieees weie kwered i^to dieH, leadr nMianied and widi K—lMi*» and 
a u Muuiiiti on boggy as in the fidd. TUs plan, however, was afaandomd 
after the fii^ trial, and Aegons with their caiaons andcandages were 
lowered directir into aa^ boats, whose bottoa» were prote ct ed ampfy 
hf a lew |dank laid fere and aft in theoL On Tg-arhing the shoce^ two 
gpugwaj-planks were laid, horn the bowstowm^ the beach, saSeiendr 
wide aput for the wheels to tn^d npow, and with side battens npon 
them to pserent the wheds ftom stipping off; b^ aKans of these the 
gnns were deembarked and woe dragged ihiuugh the snf wtth such 
ra|MditT that not a cartrid^ was wet in the amamnitiQa boxes. 

As the bottoms (rf' die boats woe made of white pine, and thoefore 
eompantivdj ftail, great caie was r eq uire d in laiMJing the acge train, 
to prevent their bilgii^ In addition to the loose ]dank in the bottom 
<^ the boats, thaeftHe, it was ordered that thej shoold be kept alwajs 
afloat bv being anefaoied ootade the anf and dropp e d in as lar as safe. 
The gnns were then hoisted oat of the boats bj means <^ tripods and 
taken np on hnge timber-wheels fiir transportation. 

A little later in the siege, when Coramodme Penj had assumed 
command of the squadron, three ^incfa Pnxhan guns and three loi^ 
32-poanders were taken ftom the armament of the men-of-war, and 
placed in botteiy in the troicfaes, where they were served with immense 
fiSext bj detMfaments of seamen renewed dailj ftom die sqnadnm^ and 
undo* the ordos of naval vXSeas, These heavj guns were taken 
ashore in the ships' kmnefaes. The first of them that was sent had been 
stowed in the bottom ci the boat, in like mmnmer widi the si^e aitiU 
lerv moititmed above, and the same means ad<^iled to get it fiom die 
boat to the beadi, bat these were fixmd inmffident and peiftctl j 
rninoos to the boat. The otheis, tbereibre, woe placed upon dbdds, 
laid athwart the gonwales of the boat, and well seemed bv efaoeks and 
lashiogs. The boats were thai towed ashore by others^ The guns had 
a sufficient pair of slings lashed on to them b^ jrAand, and thdr 
vents and muzzles tigfadv sliced with pottj. When the boats grounded 
on the beach the gnns woe rolled off into the surf. Tliev were after- 
wards takoi Dp on large timber-wheek and tnmsported, widi very great 



70 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

labor, through the sand to the position assigned them, a distance of 
about one mile. In this work tlie seamen were greatly assisted by 
detachments from the different divisions of the army. 

The perfect success of the entire operation is sufficiently evident from 
the foregoing without further demonstration. It only remains, therefore, 
to add a few words from the reports of the two commanding officers 
expressive of their gratification. Commodore Conner says, the " offi- 
cers and men under my command vied with each other on that occasion 
in a zealous and energetic performance of their duty. I cannot but 
express to the Department the great satisfaction I have derived from 
witnessing their efforts to contribute all in their power to the success of 
their more fortunate brethren of the army ;" and General Scott writes 
that, " to Commodore Conner and the officers and sailors of his com- 
mand, the array is indebted for great and unceasing assistance promptly 
and cheerfully rendered. Tlieir co-operation is the constant theme 
of our gratitude and admiration." 



APPENDIX. 



Containing all the written orders issued by General Scott and Commodore 
Conner y having reference to the foregoing tnemoir, not yet arranged accord- 
ing to date. 

" General Orders No. 8. 

"Head-Quarters of the Army, 
" Brazos, Santiago, January 30, 1847. 

" 1. It is believed that a sufficient number of transports are near at 
hand to receive the troops, now under the immediate orders of Brevet 
Brigadier- General Worth, and destined for distant service. 

" 2. As the ships shall arrive, he will cause embarkations to be made 
and send them ofiP in succession to the general rendezvous behind the 
Island of Lobos, there to await further orders. See General Orders 
No. 1, of the 15th instant. 

" 3. The quartermaster's department will promptly complete its 
arrangements for those embarkations and be ready to afford, under 
the direction of Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, every facility for the 
operation. 

" The Department will also report to him the name of each ship 
on her arrival, together with her capacity to receive troops with or 
without batteries and horses. 

" 4. Brevet Brigadier-General Worth will cause, by requisitions on 
the staff, the horses, horse-equipments, clothing, arms, ammunitions, 
accoutrements, subsistence, and other wants of his troops to be promptly 
supplied. 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 71 

" Each detachment will take with it subsistence and water for men 
and horses, for at least seventy days. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

''a.a.a.g:' 

"General Orders No. 18. 

" Head-Quarters oe the Army, 
" Brazos, Santiago, February, 1847. 

" 1. All troops on board of transports will be divided into three 
watches, as nearly as may be, one of which in succession will always be 
on deck for four hours at a time, except that the time from four o'clock 
P.M. to eight o'clock p.m. will be divided into two dog watches, and 
the same alternations observed in respect to them, as in the longer 
watches. 

" 2. The general-in-chief will, at Lobos, have an opportunity of 
inspecting the different transports to be assembled there, when he 
expects to find on board of each the utmost order and cleanliness 
among them. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

''A.A.A.G." 
" General Orders No. 26. 

" Head-Quarters op the Army, 
"Off Lobos, February 23, 1847. 

" All the regular troops of the expedition under the immediate com- 
mand of the general-in-chief of the array, excepting the dragoons and 
excepting, also, companies with field batteries, are brigaded as infantry, 
as follows : 

" First Brigade, 

" The Second and Third Regiments of Artillery, and the Fourth, 
Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Regiments of Infantry, together with a com- 
pany of Louisiana volunteers, serving with the United States Fifth 
Infantry, and one of Kentucky volunteers, serving with the United 
States Sixth Infantry, will constitute the First Brigade, under the 
orders of Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, assigned to duty according 
to his brevet. 

" Second Brigade. 

" The rifle regiment, temporarily dismounted, the First and Fourth 
Regiments of Artillery, and the First, Second, Third, and Seventh 
Regiments of Infantry will constitute the Second Brigade, under the 
orders of Brigadier-General Twiggs. 

"The field battalion [batteries?], under the command of Brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, Captain Taylor, and First Lieutenant 
Steptoe, respectively, when not specially detached, will report and serve 
with Brigadier-Generals Worth, Twiggs, and Pillow, respectively. 



72 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ, 

" The companies of First and Second Dragoons will, iu general, be 
consolidated under the command of Colonel Harney, but liable to be 
thrown into detachments with any portions of the forces in the field, on 
the wings, in front, or held in reserve. 

" All regiments of the United States volunteers, old and new, of 
the same expedition, excepting cavalry, or mounted men, will consti- 
tute one division of three brigades, under the immediate orders of 
Major-General Patterson, who will organize the said foot volunteers 
accordingly. 

"The Tennessee regiment of volunteer cavalry, under Colonel 
Thomas, will be, when in a body, generally held under the immediate 
orders of the general-iu-chief, like the United States Dragoons, but 
liable to be disposed of in the same manner with the regular dragoons. 

"The ordnance company, called the company of Rocketeers and 
Mountain Howitzers, under First Lieutenant Talcott, of the ordnance, 
will commonly be held under the orders of the general-iu-chief, subject 
to be attached to brigades, regiments, or detachments. 
" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

" A.A.A.G." 
" General Orders Xo. 27. 

"Head-Quarters of the Army, Ship 'Massachusetts,' 
" Off Lobos, February 23, 1817. 

" All vessels with troops or supplies belonging to the expedition 
under the general-in-chief of the army at this anchorage, or that off 
Anton Lizardo, will daily send a boat on board of this ship, if within 
sight and the weather permits, for orders, at ten o'clock in the morn- 
ing, or as soon thereafter as practicable. Each transport will send in 
the boat an officer of the army, and every other vessel an officer of the 
ship, at that orderly hour. 

"By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.G." 
" General Orders No. 28. 

"Head-Quarters of the Army, Ship 'Massachusetts,' 
" Off Lobos, February 23, 1847. 

" The following concerted signals prescribed by the general-iu-chief 
will be strictly observed on board all vessels belonging to his expedi- 
tion, when iu sight of this ship : 

" A blue flag with a red centre at the maintop-mast head indicates 
the general-in-chief. It will generally be kept flying by day, and is 
not to be counted in the number of signals. 

[Note. — The numbered signals were as follows: Xo. 1, red flag; Xo. 2, flag 
divided diagonally from each corner, top and bottom red, ends white ; Xo. 3, yellow 
flag; Xo. 4, flag divided vertically, half white, half red.] 



THE U. 8. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 73 

"Every signal from the general must be acknowledged' by hauling 
down the Union, and keeping it down until the signal is lowered. 

Signals. Explanation. 

No. 1, at the fore and per- Look out for signals. 

haps a gun. The colors of all vessels must be run up to the 

peak. 
No. 2, at the fore and per- Show signals. 

haps a gun. The vessels of the fleet will be divided into five 

classes, and will show designating signals, as fol- 
lows : they will show no other flag, except as re- 
quired, and except the national colors, or Union. 
First, vessels with boats. A flag at the fore. 
Second, vessels with troops. A flag at the main. 
Third, vessels with cavalry or artillery horses. A 

flag at the mizzen. 
Fourth, vessels with ordnance or engineer stores. 

A flag at the maintop-sail yard-arm. 
Fifth, vessels with provisions, quartermaster stores, 
water ; means of transportation, etc. No signal. 
N.B. — If a vessel belong to two or three classes, she 
will raise at the same time the appropriate desig- 
nation for each. 
No. 3, at the fore. Strike signals. 

All flags will be lowered hut the Union. 
No. 4, at the fore. What vessel is that ? 

Answered by trumpet, if near enough to be heard, 
or by hoisting her name, if she have it, or, if not, 
by hoisting in the rigging her name written with 
chalk on a board ; letters ten or twelve inches 
long. 
No. 1, at the main. Troop vessels; send a boat with an officer. 

No. 2, at the main. Horse-vessels ; send a boat with an officer. 

No. 3, at the main. Ordnance- and engineer-vessels ; send a boat with an 

officer. 
No. 4, at the main. All vessels ; send a boat with an officer. 

No. 1, at the mizzen. Troop-vessels ; proceed to Anton Lizardo. 

No. 2, at the mizzen. Boat- vessels ; proceed to Anton Lizardo. 

No. 3, at the mizzen. All vessels ; proceed to Anton Lizardo. 

Nos. 1 and 2, at the fore. Troop-vessels ; proceed to Sacrificios. 

Nos. 1 and 3, at the fore. Boat-vessels ; proceed to Sacrificios. 

Nos. 1 and 4, at the fore. Ordnance- and engineer-vessels ; p7~oceed to Sacrificios. 

Nos. 1 and 2, at the main. All vessels ; proceed to Sacrificios. 

*Nos. 1 and 3, at the main. Troo2J-vessels ; approach the shore for landing. 
*Nos. 1 and 4, at the main. Horse-vessels ; approach the shore for landing. 

* Nos. 1 and 2, at the mizzen. Ordnance- and engineer-vessels; approach the shore 

for landing. 

* Nos. 1 and 3, at the mizzen. Launch and dispose of boats. 

Vessels having boats will run up a line to the main- 
mast head, with a tuft of oakum or a bit of stick 
tied to it for every surf-boat they have ; and will 
at once proceed to launch and fit up the boats. 
*Nos. 1, 2, and 3, at the fore. How many boats do you ivant 9 

Troop-vessels will hoist a flag at the fore for each 
surf-boat that is wanted to land the first line. As 



74 



THE U. 8. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 



Nos.1,2, and 3,at the main. 



*Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, at the 
main. 



Signals, Explanation. 

soon as these troops have got into boats, these 
flags will be struck. A flag will then be hoisted 
at the main for each boat wanted for the second 
line. As soon as the second line has embarked, 
the flags at the main will also be struck. A flag 
will then be hoisted at the mizzen for each boat 
wanted for the reserve. 

Prepare to land. 

At this signal, the general commanding the Jirst line 
will attend to the assembling and arrangement of 
the troops of his command ; and will announce 
his readiness by a messenger or concerted signal. 

Land. 

The first line will land under the direction of its 
general. 

As soon as a boat has landed its troops of the flrst 
line, it will proceed with the sailor oarsmen for 
the troops of the second line, to a vessel having 
flags at the main ; and in measure as these boats 
arrive at any vessel, these flags will be struck. 
The general commanding the second line will also 
assemble and arrange his command and announce 
his readmess by messenger or otherwise. The 
second line being ashore, the boats will proceed to 
the vessels showing flags at the mizzen for the 
reserve, which will be assembled and landed in 
like manner by its commander. 
" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.Q." 

"General Orders No. 34. 

"Head-Quarters of the Army, Ship ' Massachusetts,' 
" Off Lobos, February 26, 1847. 

" 1. The army afloat is destined within a very few days to make a 
descent on the enemy's coast, under circumstances which will demand 
the utmost vigilance, coolness, and exactness of conduct on the part of 
every oflBcer and man. The general-in-chief, ever ready to applaud the 
orderly, gallant, and efficient under his command, will be found equally 
prompt in visiting upon the negligent, the disobedient, and the back- 
ward his censure and the whole power of the law. 

"2. The capacity of the surf-boats that may arrive in time will 
govern the order of landing. It is hoped that enough will be up to 
take ashore at once from four to five thousand men. 

" 3. Those boats are of three sizes : two of the largest will be given 
to the officers and men of a company of ninety men and upward ; two 
of the middle size to a company of eighty and upward, and two of the 
smallest size to a company under eighty, officers and men. 

" 4. It is important that the boats of not only each company, but of 
each regiment and brigade, should land abreast, and in the order of battle. 
The utmost effi)rts will be made to effect the lauding in that order. 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 75 

" 5. The general officers and commanders of battalions will be fur- 
nished in time with the place of descent and particular order of 
battle at that point. 

"6. Each surf-boat is not only sufficient to receive a platoon 
(half company) with its officers, but also a competent number of 
sailor oarsmen. 

* " 7. The general-in-chief confidently relies upon a hearty co-op- 
*eration of the navy for the greater number of the sailors needed for 
*that purpose, under the command of junior and petty officers to direct 

* the steerage, anchorage, and return of the boats ; and he appeals to 
*the patriotism of the masters, mates, and sailors of the several trans- 
sports, to furnish a large additional number of cockswains and oarsmen. 

* " 8. The commanding officer of the troops on board of each 

* transport will arrange with the master the volunteer help of this 
*kind that may be needed, and that can be given by the ship, and 
*raake a special report to general head-quarters on the subject at the 
*earliest moment. 

* " 9. Any deficiency of oarsmen in surf-boats will be supplied by 
*the platoons on board of them respectively, so that each boat, when 

* ready, may be rapidly rowed ashore. The soldier oarsmen will laud 
*and form with their platoons. 

* "10. General and field officers, with their respective staffs, will 
*endeavor to obtain lauding boats for themselves, with the necessary 
*cockswains and oarsmen, from the transports and other hired vessels 
*of the fleet. 

* "11. Each surf-boat will be provided, in advance by the master of 
*the transport, with a tub (part of a barrel) to hold its halser [hawser] 
*(coiled) and kedge, who will show its place and use, and explain nau- 
*tical terms and phrases of this order. 

" 12. As the boats reach the shore, the coxswains will drop the 
kedges to anchor by the stern. The troops after sounding will leap 
out, without noise or confusion, and form rapidly in the exact order 
of battle. 

" 13. As fast as the troops land, the emptied boats will rapidly 
*pull away for the transports with boat-signals flying, and this will 
be repeated until the whole army shall have been put ashore, or as 
long as boat-signals shall be flying. The cockswains will please 
make themselves familiar with those signals. See General Orders, No. 
*28, on the subject, which order, more particularly addressed to mas- 
*ters of ships, the military officers on board will also read and seek 
*to comprehend. 

* "14. As soon as the landing shall have been effected, the surf- 
*boats will revert to the chief quartermaster for immediate supplies, 
*and he will beg the assistance of the navy in taking care of the boats 
*when not in his use. 



76 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

"15. For the landing of field-batteries and cavalry, special instruc- 
tions will be added to the foregoing. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.G." 
" General Oeders No. 40. 

" Head-Quakters of the Akmy, 
" Off Lobos, March 2, 1847. 

" All vessels having troops other than new volunteers, and all 
vessels having wagons, horses, mules, or other supplies, destined for 
the expedition under Major-General Scott, that may arrive at the 
anchorage, except those now here, which have received special instruc- 
tions from the general-in-chief, will, upon their arrival, proceed at 
once to Anton Lizardo. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

^'a.a.a.g:' 

" General Orders No. 41. 

" Head-Quarters of the Army, Steamer ' Massachusetts,' 
" Off the Coast of Mexico, March 3, 1847. 

" All materials, tools, wheelbarrows, sacks, etc., for use by engi- 
neers in siege and bombardment, must be landed or transported to 
the engineer depot and fitted for use with the greatest dispatch. The 
site of the depot will be selected by the chiefs of the engineers and 
artillery in concert. 

* " The quartermaster's department is charged with the landing, 
transportation, arrangement, and care of these stores ; and also with 
their delivery on requisition from the officers commanding in the 
trenches and batteries from the senior artillery officers and the senior 
officer in each brigade of engineers. 

"The officer in command of the trenches will every day send a 
detachment from the guard of the trenches to collect and return to 
the engineer depot such articles not in use as may have been left by 
working parties, including all damaged tools and implements worthy 
of repair, and the quartermaster's department will cause all articles 
returned from the trenches or batteries to be immediately prepared and 
arranged for reissue. 

" That department will make timely requisition for the guard 
necessary for the protection of the depot, as well as for the fatigue 
parties necessary to the accomplishment of the duties specified above. 

" Before the return of any working parties to camp, the chief en- 
gineer or director of the attack will inform the officer commanding in 
the trenches, whether the tools and implements are to be left in the 
works, or to be returned to the engineer depot ; in the former case, 
every man on breaking off work, will place his tools upon the ground, 
immediately in rear of his work ; in the latter case the party will 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 77 

be marched to the depot and tlien deposit them in order, under the 
care of the officer of the quartermaster's department in charge of the 
depot. 

"On requisition of the chief engineer a detail will be made from 
the mechanics of the quartermaster's department to assist in labors 
on field magazines, platforms, revetements, and other works of the 
batteries and trenches. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.G." 
" General Oeders No. 42. 

" Head-Quarters of the Army, 
" Off the Coast of Mexico, March 3, 1847. 

"1. At the landing about to be made on the enemy's coast every 
man serving as infantry will take on his person forty cartridges ; and 
every man of the army, in his haversack, at least bread and meat 
[enough] (cooked) for two days. 

" 2, Beginning at once, and always in the enemy's country, arms and 
ammunition will be, at least, twice inspected, morning and evening 
daily. These inspections will be made by company officers, superin- 
tended by field-officers. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) "H.L.Scott, 

"A.A.A.O." 
*' General Orders No. 43. 

" Head-Quarters op the Army, 
" Off the Coast of Mexico, March 5, 1847. 

* " At the point of landing, all sick and non-effective men will be 
*left on board the several transports, until hospitals can be established 
ashore, or ships be designated as such. 

" The non-effectives will be specially charged with the care of the 
sick, under directions to be left by the respective medical officers, all 
of whom, excepting one per brigade, to be designated by the brigadier, 
will land with the troops. 

" The five medical officers left afloat will, under the directions of the 
senior, divide the duty of visiting all the sick aboard. 
" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) "H.L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.G." 
" General Orders No. 45. 

" Head-Quarters of the Army, 
" Off Anton Lizardo, March 7, 1847. 

" 1. The forces assembled in this harbor will hold themselves in 
readiness for a prompt debarkation in the following order, and by 

* means, in great part, of the United States squadron, kindly tendered 
*for that purpose by Commodore Conner. 

Lore. 



78 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

" Fh-st Brigade of Regulars, First Line. 

" 2. This brigade, under Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, will 
first be distributed in the following vessels : the United States frigate 
the ' Raritan' (flag-ship), and the steamers ' Princeton' and ' Edith.' 

" 3. All the surf-boats that have arrived (sixty-five) will be towed 
*by those vessels, aided by such smaller steamers of the United States 
*Squadron as Commodore Conner may be pleased to assign to that duty. 

" First Brigade of United States Volunteers, Secand Line. 

"4. This brigade, under Brigadier-General Pillow, will first be 
distributed in the following vessels : the United States frigate ' Poto- 
mac,' and the steamers * Alabama' and ' Virginia.' 

" 5. The South Carolina regiment, in the absence of the other 
troops of its brigade, Major-Gen eral Patterson will cause to be landed 
with the second line, under his immediate command, after being trans- 
ferred to the vessels of this line already mentioned. 

" Second Brigade of Regulars, or Reserve. 

"6. Under Brigadier-General Twiggs, will be previously distributed 
in the following vessels : the United States sloops of war ' Albany' and 

* St. Mary's,' the brig ' Porpoise,' and the steamers ' Massachusetts,' 
' Champion' {alias ' Petrita'), and * Eudora.' 

" 7. The field-batteries of Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Talcott, 
each from its present vessels, will land with the first line, under the 
command of Brigadier-General Worth. Those transports will be 
towed up to the point of landing, opposite to the Sacrificios, by the 
steamers ' Massachusetts' and ' Alabama.' 

" 8. There will also land with the first line Captain Swift's com- 
pany of sappers and miners, and the iron boat loaded with a sufficient 
supply of intrenching tools and sand-bags, according to the requisition 
of the brigadier-general, made upon the quartermaster. 

" 9. The preliminary distribution of the troops, as above, and 
beginning with the first line will commence to-morrow morning at 
sunrise, if the weather shall permit, and must be rapidly completed, 
including the reserve. 

* " 10. Commodore Conner has kindly promised rations, including 
*the means of cooking, for the troops while on board of the squadron, 
excepting the steamer * Champion' {alias ' Petrita') ; rations for a day, 
in addition to cooked rations in haversacks, will be taken by the detach- 
ment that boards the latter, together with drinking-water. 

* "11. The commodore has also kindly offered officers and sailors 
*to command and row the surf-boats while engaged in landing the 

* troops. 

" 12. The commander of each line, in the order of succession, will 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 79 

designate an officer to point out the transports with the troops, to be 
distributed as above. 

" 13. All the transports not included above will remain at the 
anchorage until further orders, but the quartermaster will order the 
supply-vessels of his department to follow closely the troops to Sacri- 
ficios, as also vessels with subsistence for the troops ashore for at least 
*five days. Should a change of weather occur before leaving this har- 
*bor, in the morning, for Sacrificios, the following signal will be made 
*atthe mainmast of the flag-ship * Raritan,' and repeated at the main- 
*top of the ' Massachusetts,' to stop the transfer of troops and the move- 
*ment, until further orders. This signal will be a longitudinal red and 
white flag, the red stripe uppermost. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"A.A.A.G." 
" Geneeal Orders No. 47. 

" Heab-Quakters of the Army, Ship ' Massachusetts,' 
" Off Anton Lizardo, March 7, 1847. 

" The army is about to land and attack the city of Vera Cruz and 
the castle of San Juan de Ulloa. 

" The descent will be made in three lines, as heretofore announced, 
and in the bend opposite to the island of Sacrificios. 

" The first line may have to conquer the ground on which to es- 
tablish itself, and if opposed by greatly superior numbers, with bat- 
teries of position, it may be compelled to manoeuvre or, perhaps, to 
intrench itself momentarily. 

" If not seriously opposed, the first line, after overcoming imme- 
diate difficulties, will advance upon the city to commence the line of 
investment, its right towards the sea, and take position according to 
the advantages of the ground, but not within the fire of the city 
and castle. 

" The second line will follow closely, to support the first, if engaged, 
by forming on one or both of its flanks, according to the ground and 
the state of the combat. But neither line will pursue the enemy within 
gunshot of the city, or much beyond its view, before the landing of the 
general-in-chief, or his special orders. 

" The combat and pursuit, if any, being over, the second line will 
form on the left of the first, to continue the line of investment. 

" The reserve, or third line, following the second, will observe a 
like course, and continue the line of investment towards the sea to the 
north of the city. To complete that line we may be obliged to wait 
for the arrival of additional troops, or leave wide intervals between 
the corps on the ground. 

" By command of Major-General Scott, 
(Signed) " H. L. Scott, 

"a.a.a.g:' 



80 THE U. 8, TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

" United States Frigate 'Earitak,' 
*' Anton Lizardo, February 27, 1847. 

" Captain John H. Aulick, 

" Commanding United States Frigate ' Potomac ;' 
" SiE, — Upon receipt of this you will repair to and anchor under 
Verde Island, for the purpose of communicating with and directing to 
this anchorage the transports of General Scott as they arrive. Should 
you have officers on board, competent to the duty, you will put one on 
board each vessel as she arrives to pilot her in, but should this not be 
the case, or should more vessels arrive at the same time than you have 
officers to take charge of, you will give the masters such sailing direc- 
tions as will enable them to make the passage between the Blanquilla 
Reef and Point Anton Lizardo, and direct them to hoist their ensigns 
at the fore, as signals that they have no pilot on board, so that I may 
send officers to them to bring them in. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

" United States Frigate ' Karitan,' 
" Anton Lizardo, February 28, 1847. 

"Captain Samuel L. Breese, 

" Commanding United States Ship ' Albany :' 
"Sir, — . . . Having performed this service you will return to 
Verde Island. As the transports of General Scott are expected 
every moment, it is very desirable you should be absent as short a 
time as possible from Isla Verde ; where your presence will be re- 
quired to give them such assistance as they may need, and to direct 
them to this anchorage. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) "D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

" United States Frigate ' Raritan,' 
" Anton Lizardo, March 2, 1847. 

" Commander Wm. J. McCluney, 

"Commanding United States Ship 'John Adams:' 

" Sir, — ... As the transports of General Scott are expected 
every moment, it is very desirable you should keep as much as possible 
while blockading in the neighborhood of Green Island, in order to 
give them such assistance as they may need. Should you have officers 
on board competent to the duty, you will put one on board each vessel 
as she arrives to pilot her in, but should this not be the case, or should 
more vessels arrive at the same time than you have officers to take 
charge of, you will give the masters such sailing directions as will en- 
able them to make the passage between the Blanquilla Reef and Point 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 81 

Anton Lizardo, and direct them to hoist their ensigns at the fore, as 
signals that they have no pilots on board, so that I may send officers to 
them to bring them in. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

" United States Frigate ' Karitan,' 
"Anton Lizardo, March 6, 1847. 

" Captain John H. Aulick, 

" Commanding United States Frigate ' Potomac ;' 
" Sir, — On the receipt of this order, you will be pleased to repair 
without delay to this anchorage, the services of the ' Potomac,' being 
required to assist in the landing of the troops. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

" General Order. 

" United States Frigate ' Karitan,' 
" Anton Lizardo, March 7, 1847. 

"The embarkation of troops, which is to take place to-morrow 
morning, will be conducted in the following order : 

" The ' Karitan,' ' Princeton,' and ' Edith' will receive on board the 
first line, consisting of the First Brigade of Regulars and Captain 
Swift's company of sappers and miners. The field-batteries of Cap- 
tain Taylor and Lieutenant Talcott will also be landed with this line, 
but will be taken up to Sacrificios in the vessels in which they now are. 
Genera] Worth commands the first line. 

" The ' Potomac' and the steamers ' Alabama' and ' Virginia' will 
receive on board the second line, consisting of the First Brigade of 
Volunteers and the South Carolina Regiment. General Patterson 
commands the second line. 

"The 'Albany,' 'St. Mary's,' and 'Porpoise,' and the steamers 
'Massachusetts,' ' Petri ta,' and ' Eudora' will receive on board the 
Reserve, consisting of the Second Brigade, regulars. General Twiggs 
commands the reserves. 

" The surf-boats will be towed as follows : the ' Princeton,' ten ; the 
'Petrita,' ten; the 'Spitfire,' fifteen; the 'Vixen,' twenty; and the 
' Eudora,' ten. 

" The ' Raritan' will use fifteen boats, and when the troops are 
embarked she will take them to the ' Spitfire.' 

" The ' Potomac' will use twenty boats, and will deliver them over 
to the ' Vixen,' the ' Vixen' going alongside for them. 

"' The ' Albany' will use ten boats, and when the troops are embarked 

she will take them to the ' Eudora.' 

6 



82 THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 

" The ' Princeton' will use ten boats, and then tow them. 

" The ' St. Mary's' will use ten boats, and when the troops are 
embarked she will take them to the ' Petrita.' 

" The vessels of war on board which the troops are embarked (except 
the ' Petrita') will supply the troops with water and provisions while 
on board. 

" When the boats are taken to the vessels which are to tow them 
respectively, each vessel sending them will detail two lieutenants and 
two midshipmen, to remain on board the towing ships, to look out for 
them, together with two seamen for each boat, who are to remain in 
the boats to steer them during the tow. 

" Each ship will have her marines in readiness to disembark on 
notice. 

(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 



"United States Frigate ' Karitan,' 
" Antok Lizardo, March 7, 1847. 

" Captain French Forrest, 

" Commanding United States Frigate ' Raritan :' 

* " Sir, — You will superintend the transshipment and debarkation 
*of the troops now here under command of Major-General Scott. To 
*aid you in this service, you will take with you Lieutenant Command- 
*ing Hunt and such others of the lieutenants of the squadron as you 

* may require. The surf-boats in which the troops are to be landed you 
*will form into divisions often, placing an officer in command of each 

* division. You will man each boat with seven seamen from the squad- 
*ron, and an officer (should you have sufficient officers for this purpose) 

* together with such other persons as may be assigned to you for the 

* purpose by the general-in-chief. 

"The debarkation of troops being at all times a delicate operation, 
and especially so under fire from the enemy, you will take every 
precaution in your power to insure the utmost system and dispatch 
in the operation. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 



"United States Frigate ' Karitan,' 
" Under Sacrificios, March 10, 1847. 

"Captain John H. Aulick, 

" Commanding United States Frigate ' Potomac .-' 
" Sir, — You will have your surf-boats manned with seven seamen 
each, in readiness for such duty as may be assigned them, at six o'clock 



THE U. S. TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ. 83 

to-morrow morning. You will detail two lieutenants and as many- 
midshipmen as can be spared for this service. 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron" 

"General Orders. 

"United States Frigate 'Karitan,' 
" Under Sacrificios, March 11, 1847. 

* "1. Commander Sands is hereby directed to assume the superin- 
*tendence of the landing, on the beach opposite this anchorage, of all 

* troops, munitions, etc., belonging to the army.^ 

* " 2. All surf- and other boats employed in this service are re- 
*quired, immediately upon landing, to report to him for instructions. 

* "3. No officer is to permit his men to wander from under his 
*eye, or leave his boat or party, without the permission of Com- 
*mander Sands. 

* " 4. Commander Sands will be vigilant in the performance of the 

* duties herein assigned to him, and will see that all officers in charge 
*of boats or parties are kept constantly at their stations, and he will 

* report to me such as he may find in violation of this order. 

(Signed) "D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron" 

"United States Frigate 'Karitan,' 
" Under Sacrificios, March 11, 1847. 

"Lieutenant Wm. E. Hunt, 

" Commanding United States Brig ' Porpoise ;' 
" Sir, — . . . You will keep a lookout (while blockading) for all 
transports as they arrive, and give such of them as are strangers to the 
coast sailing directions for Sacrificios. . . . 

" I am very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) " D. Conner, 

" Commanding Home Squadron." 

' Subsequently others shared this duty in rotation. 



THE END. 



ERRATA. 

Owing to the pressure of other matter on the press, a " revise" in advance of 
issue had to be omitted ; I now note some errors in consequence. 
Page 7, seventeenth line from top, for " very" read were. 
" 7, twentieth line, for "my father's," read the. 
" 14, fourth line, for " constituted," read maintained. 
" 14, eleventh line, for " at Home" read Ashore. 



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